HAMILTON HEIGHTS — A 22-year-old man who worked at the Fairway on 12th Avenue was stabbed and left bleeding on the ground across the street from the uptown store Saturday, and by Sunday police had arrested a suspect, one of his coworkers, police said.
The victim, Pedro Miguel Payero Valerio, 22, of Kingsbridge Heights, was allegedly attacked by Jovanny Paulino, 25, of Longwood, just steps from Fairway Market between West 132nd and 133rd streets following an argument between the two, police said.
While outside standing in a parking lot police said was used by the natural-foods grocery store, at 1:45 p.m., Paulino allegedly plunged a knife into his coworker, and then left him lying on the ground as he fled the scene, police said. Paulino was charged with murder and felony assault on Sunday.
"Our deepest condolences go to the family of the deceased at this time," Fairway said in a statement released by the supermarket's administration. "He was a valued member of the Fairway community and we join together to mourn his loss."
"This incident, while tragic, is an isolated incident and did not occur on Fairway Market premises," the statement read. "Our store at 125th St. is unaffected and remains open to serve our customers. The safety and well being of Fairway customers and employees is always our foremost concern."
Medical responders rushed the victim to St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital but he was declared dead upon arrival, the NYPD said.