By Kenny Porpora and Jordan Heller
DNAinfo Staff
EAST VILLAGE — A 33-year-old man was fatally shot in the face in broad daylight Monday in front of an Alphabet City bodega, police said.
Police discovered the man in the middle of the sidewalk on Avenue D, between East 3rd and East 4th streets, after receiving a 911 call around noon, the NYPD said.
The victim was identified as Bahiem Covington, who has prior arrests for assault and criminal possession of a weapon, the Daily News reported.
Covington was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:28 p.m, a half hour after arrival.
David Rodriguez, 50, who lives in the nearby Lillian Wald Houses, was standing about a block away when he heard the shots go off.
"I didn't see it, but I sure heard it," Rodriguez said. "It was loud and I heard a lot of screaming."
Some residents of the East Village were surprised that such an incident occurred in their neighborhood, home to many professionals and young creative types.
"It used to be like this every day," said Michael Rakosi, 63, owner of a coffee shop on Avenue A. "This neighborhood has improved tremendously."
But Rodriguez added that the forces of gentrification had not yet made it as far east as the crime scene.
"All I know is a lot of gangs hang out in front of that store," Rodriguez said, referring to the Top Variety bodega where the shooting took place.
Police have not yet made any arrests, although the NYPD confirmed that four man were seen running from the scene.
