A 32-year-old man from Jamaica,
Queens, was fatally shot early Thursday outside popular West
Side hot spot Club Stereo, the police reported.
Brione Schneider was shot once in the back around 3:45 after
a dispute with another man that began inside the club and spilled outside, the
police said.
The shot happened about 100 feet from the front door of the
club at 512 W. 29th Street.
The police found the man near Eleventh
Avenue, where he succeeded to get after the
shooting. One hour later after the police arrived, Schneider was pronounced
dead at St. Vincent’s Medical
Center.
Scheinder had been in the club accompanied by his brother
and his cousin, but it was unclear what the confrontation on the dance floor
was about or whom else was involved in it besides Schneider.
Schneider was the father of a 6-year-old boy and managed a
Finish Line sports in Brooklyn, his mother Liz
Davis said, according to the New York Daily News.
“He was a very laid-back guy who was about going to work and taking care of
his son. If you've got a kid who's a problem, you never know what to expect.
But Brione was never a problem,” Davis
said.
Investigators checked surveillance footage from in and
around the club for leads.
After the incident, a statement released by the club denied any
acknowledge of a fight inside.
“The incident, which took place a block away from the club, is unfortunate
and tragic. We are not aware of any prior altercation in the club. At Stereo,
the security and safety of our patrons is our most paramount concern and Stereo
maintains a tightly controlled, safe club environment with highly experienced
security and close monitoring of our clientele,” Brad Zeifman, a representative
of the club said in a statement.
It is not the first time when Stereo Club has problems with
the law, as NYPD uncovered evidence of narcotics use, assault and underage
drinking at the club. The club was also amended with a $12,500 fine, which it
failed to pay and was forced to close in August, last year, Deputy Police
Commissioner Paul Browne said.
The club was soon
reopened but closed again the following month for evidence of narcotics
activity. On December 5, the club was permitted to reopen again. At the time, its
managers were forced to hire a security consulting firm and implement a number
of security measures as a part of a settlement it reached with the city to stay
in business.