Imani Sharpless, a 26-year-old model and singer, succumbed to injuries after being shot in an altercation over a parking spot near a Home Depot in Bedford Stuyvesant.
The incident occurred just past noon last Saturday at the intersection of Willoughby Avenue and Sanford Street. Sharpless was with her boyfriend, 36-year-old Cordel McDuffie, when a disagreement over parking escalated into violence.
Police have identified a person of interest and have recovered a firearm and clothing related to the incident. A Mercedes Benz linked to the person of interest was also found in the parking lot following the event.
According to investigators, both the suspect and McDuffie were contending for the same parking space when words were exchanged, leading the suspect to claim the spot. Sharpless and McDuffie then idled their vehicle near the Home Depot entrance; McDuffie went inside the store while Sharpless stayed in the car.
Security footage shows the suspected shooter leaving the store and waiting for McDuffie to exit. Once bystanders were out of his line of sight, the individual fired shots at the car, striking Sharpless in the head and injuring McDuffie, who police believe was the intended target.