Tragedy struck in Manhattan's NoLiTa neighborhood when a gunman, described by police as Hispanic and wearing a grey hoodie, dark pants, and white shoes, opened fire into the Tom & Jerry's bar on Elizabeth Street, resulting in the death of an employee. The fatal incident occurred after 3 a.m. last Saturday, with the employee sustaining bullets twice in the chest and once in the stomach before being pronounced deceased at Bellevue Hospital, as reported by Gothamist.
The victim, identified as Anton Albert, aged 39, was working as a bouncer at the time of the shooting. In an effort to better support his family, he had taken on the night job in addition to his weekday office work, according to an interview with his aunt, Dominique Albert, published by the Daily News. "He was doing everything positive," she expressed, "A hardworking family man, a hardworking father, good son, good nephew, good grandson. There's nothing bad you could say about my nephew."
“The family, we’re really suffering. This is so unexpected and it’s so painful. It’s really difficult to deal with,” Dominique Albert told the Daily News. Albert was known as a devoted father to a 9-year-old daughter and a source of joy to his tight-knit family, particularly his mother and 78-year-old grandmother, Pearlie Axson, who recounted her grandson's happy-go-lucky childhood and his natural talent for music. His absence has left a gaping void in their weekly Sunday gatherings, which were a longstanding tradition.
While the investigation remains ongoing with no arrests made to date, the family and authorities seek answers and justice. Remembrances highlight Albert's passion for life and dedication to his family. "I just want everybody to know that he was a loving, caring son, brother, nephew, father, husband," Dominique Albert said, as noted by the Daily News.
