A Monday night in West Farms took a grim turn when an unidentified man was found dead inside a white van parked outside a barbershop on Southern Boulevard, police said. Officers shut down the block for several hours while investigators searched for witnesses and surveillance footage. Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene, and the city medical examiner is now expected to determine his cause of death. Police say there have been no arrests as detectives continue to investigate.
Officers were called to 1919 Southern Blvd at about 7:30 p.m. and found an unconscious man in the white van, which was parked in front of a barbershop, according to News 12 New York. Paramedics later determined he was dead, the outlet reports. Detectives stayed on the block for hours, combing the area for clues and speaking with nearby business owners and people passing through.
Where it happened
The van was parked outside Los Reyes barber shop at 1919 Southern Blvd, a busy stretch of storefronts along Southern Boulevard, according to business listings on MapQuest. Property records show the address is a mixed-use walk-up with street-level retail and apartments above, per PropertyShark. The corner sits near Bronx Park in a heavy retail corridor where small businesses and steady foot traffic define the block.
Police response and how to help
Officers blocked Southern Boulevard in both directions while canvassing nearby businesses and reviewing surveillance footage for possible leads. Anyone with information or video is asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or submit a tip online, according to the NYPD. Tips can also be sent through the Crime Stoppers mobile app or by messaging the NYPD’s tip account on X, per the department’s website.
Neighborhood context
The discovery comes on the heels of a fatal stabbing in West Farms in late May, part of a recent stretch of deadly incidents across parts of the Bronx. Local detectives have increased canvassing efforts and are urging anyone with eyewitness information or relevant footage to step forward.
What’s next
The city medical examiner will conduct an autopsy and toxicology testing to determine the cause and manner of death, and NYPD detectives are continuing their investigation, News 12 New York reports. For now, the victim remains unidentified and there have been no arrests. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers or reach out to the local precinct.
