Police have the man in custody allegedly behind a deadly Brooklyn deli stabbing that took the life of a 19-year-old who rejected his advances and hurt her twin last weekend.
Sources say 20-year-old Veo Kelly surrendered to police Friday morning, a day after his attorney indicated to police the man planned to end a nearly weeklong manhunt.
Cops had been looking for him since the 2:30 a.m. attack Sunday in Park Slope. Samyia Spain and her sister, Sanyia, were among a group of friends and relatives at Slope Natural Plus on Fourth Avenue when Kelly made a move on them, law enforcement sources have said. They rejected his advances -- and the situation escalated quickly.
"This guy came out of a party hole down the street, got very aggressive with one of the girls trying to get some contact information," Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. "When they didn't take to his advances, it got verbal. Then it got physical."
A witness said Kelly called the women names and stormed off, then returned minutes later.
When the twins left the store, the killer then cornered them, according to police. He allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Samyia Spain in the chest and neck. She died. Her sister, Sanyia, was cut in the arm and survived.
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Law enforcement sources said Kelly was with his attorney when he turned himself over to police, and was being held at the 78th Precinct — just blocks away from the Park Slope deli where the sisters were stabbed.
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Friends and loved ones of Samyia Spain gathered outside the precinct to catch a glimpse of Kelly. While the family was happy to see an arrest, a close family friend said it brings little peace to them.
"No sorry that he’s gonna say is gonna help this family," said Yvette Ramos. "You’re never the same. She can’t build her child back together. You can’t take the ashes and build your child back together. You know what it is to wake up in the morning and not be able to call your daughter like you normally do. That is horrible."
A search warrant at Kelly's Hancock Street home yielded clothing believed to be worn during the attack, but the murder weapon has not been found, Kenny said. He added police have recovered video surveillance from inside the bodega, and of a physical encounter in front of it, but they do not have footage of the stabbing itself.
Kelly was expected to face a judge Friday night. It was not immediately clear what charges he may face. Attorney information for him was not available.
The case has highlighted the Regional Fugitive Task Force's involvement in the search for Kelly, who has a prior arrest for robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
