Bronx Dad Shot Dead In Lobby Of His Apartment Building, Neighbor Arrested

A 35-year-old Bronx man, father of a young son, was fatally shot in the lobby of his apartment building Saturday (May 23). The man's neighbor was arrested in connection with the murder.

The arrest of Vincent Gibson, 42, was made Sunday (May 24), under the suspicion that he killed Najai Sow, who also goes by Nigel, by firing at least three rounds of gunshots in his torso. Sow was shot at the entrance of his building on Hoe Avenue near Bruckner Boulevard in Longwood at around 5:40 p.m. (EST). First responders rushed him to Lincoln Hospital, where he was declared dead, according to New York Daily News.

It was not known why Gibson, who lives two blocks from Sow’s apartment, carried out the brutal homicide. He was facing murder, manslaughter, and weapon possession charges, the publication reported, citing police.

Daniel Ponte, 19, Sow’s friend, described Sow as a “family man.” “He’s not into violence or none of that," he told the publication.

“He’s a positive person. . . . If you ever needed help in something, he’ll help you," Ponte told New York Daily News.

Neighbors said Sow was always on the lookout for new business opportunities, especially those in the local rap industry. His friend Star Lancaster, 45, told the publication that he gained some fortune off a lawsuit related to a back injury, which he invested in starting his own music label and in stocks.

“He had his little label going and he definitely had some artists in his label — some kids from around the neighborhood that are really talented, so he would help them and support them," Lancaster told the publication.

Lattina Brown, 35, who lives in the same building said, her pleas for stepping up security around the building fell in deaf ears. "I’ve been telling the property manager about this for years, and still we don’t have a hallway camera,” New York Daily News quoted Brown, adding that as a mother she feared for the life of her child.

Brown described Sow as a helpful person who would hold open doors for neighbors, especially if they were carrying groceries.