On Wednesday evening, the Bath Beach community gathered near the Caesar’s Bay shopping center in South Brooklyn for a candlelight vigil honoring Katie Suarez, a 28‑year‑old bank teller who was tragically stabbed while out for a run on Friday night. The vigil, organized by local residents, highlighted concerns about lighting, visibility, and overall safety in the area surrounding the Belt Parkway and the Verrazzano Bridge.
Remembering Katie Suarez
Suarez was discovered by her father on Friday night, bleeding from a neck wound. She was taken to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries on Monday. Although her family could not attend the vigil, neighbors and friends shared memories of her bright spirit. “She was a sweetheart, full of life,” said Frank Petralia, a regular customer at the bank where Suarez worked. “For this to happen right here, so close to her workplace, something’s not right.”
Community safety concerns
Attendees voiced worries about the darkness and lack of street lighting that make the neighborhood vulnerable after dark. “There’s no lights anywhere. It’s very dark. A lot of trees, very dark. Can’t see anything,” said resident Ann Florio‑Lopez. Another woman, who asked that her name not be released, expressed how the murder has altered her daily habits: “I stopped walking at night.” The vigil served as a platform for residents to demand better illumination and increased police patrols.
Calls for action from local leaders
Assembly Member William Colton urged authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice, stating, “We must find the person who committed this crime.” Bishop Erick Salgado of Young Christians Church suggested raising the reward for information to $50,000, believing that a larger incentive could prompt a breakthrough. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams emphasized the need for collective effort, saying, “We want to do everything we can to prevent this from happening to another family.”
Police investigation continues
The NYPD has continued to canvass the area near the Verrazzano Bridge and is asking anyone with information to call the tip line at 800‑577‑TIPS. No surveillance footage or eyewitnesses have yet been identified, and the investigation remains open.
How to help
Residents who may have seen anything suspicious are encouraged to contact the police tip line. Community leaders also plan to work with city officials to assess lighting upgrades and explore additional safety measures for pedestrians and joggers in the neighborhood.
The vigil underscored both the deep grief felt by the Bath Beach community and its resolve to protect neighbors and honor Katie Suarez’s memory through concrete action.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
