Newly elected City Councilwoman Farah Louis (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) today called for an increase in anti-violence awareness in the wake of the stabbing death of a longtime Flatbush resident in Rockaway Queens.
Desmond Tillery, 32, who grew up off of Clarkson and Flatbush Avenues, was stabbed in the chest at about 10:44 p.m., Sunday, May 19 inside of 14-83 Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway, according to police reports.
Police and EMS responded to the scene and Tillery was then transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. There are currently no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.
With Louis’ office serving as a media go-between, community members and local residents rallied together today at the Flatbush/Nostrand avenues junction to both mourn Tillery’s death and to call for an increase in resources for young adults and to fight violence in the area.
The rally also came following a bloody Memorial Day weekend in Brooklyn where there were six shootings in the borough including one fatal shooting.
Former city council candidate and community activist Jamell Henderson called on local elected officials and faith leaders to step up local after-school and summer programs.
“I think that it is very tragic that as we officially kick off the summer season, violence is happening in our communities. I think it’s deplorable that we don’t have outlets giving our young men and young women opportunities to find safety and find structure. Where they can utilize their energy and talents into being productive members of our community,” said Henderson.
Henderson also called for local officials and community leaders to create “safe zones,” areas where young adults and individuals will be able to come for any daily needs or resources including counseling and mental health resources.
Amber Rivero, a student organizer and longtime friend of Tillery, said Tillery was visiting family at the Red Fern Houses when he went to go buy something at the corner bodega and was called outside by an unknown individual who would later stab him through the heart.
Louis spokesperson Tanisha Colon-Bibb said that Louis was deeply moved by the strength and bravery of Tillery’s friends and family to continue to fight for his memory so that his death won’t be in vain.
“Although the senseless act of violence against Desmond didn’t happen in the district, he is a child of the neighborhood. And as advocates and caretakers for this neighborhood, everyone must continue to use our voices and resources to stop the premature deaths of our youth. Farah is working with Desmond’s family to assist in any way that she can as a council member-elect and neighbor,” said Tanisha Colon-Bibb.
Tillery was the second oldest of seven children and leaves behind his parents. The Flatbush native was not married or had children.
“He was so nice and kind. He would give someone his last five dollars. He was very caring and giving and he was friends with everybody. Even though his brothers would tell him, ‘everyone is not your friend,’ he didn’t care because that was just who he was,” said Rivero.
Anyone with information in regard to any of the recent shootings is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @NYPDTips.
