Veo Kelly, a 20-year-old man from Brooklyn, has been charged with the murder of 19-year-old Samyia Spain, following a tragic incident that shocked the neighborhood. The incident occurred outside a Park Slope deli, where Samyia and her twin sister, Sanyia, were attacked by Kelly.
The sisters had been at the deli for a late-night snack after a family game night, and Kelly, who was not from the neighborhood, approached them and began flirting. When Samyia rejected his advances, Kelly allegedly became enraged and armed himself with a knife, leading to the fatal stabbing of Samyia and the injury of her twin sister.
Kelly turned himself in to the authorities on Friday, March 21, 2024, and was charged with murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
The police investigation revealed that Kelly had been at a party hall down the street from the deli and approached the sisters after they left the party. He made aggressive advances towards both girls, and when Samyia refused to share her phone number, he became violent.
The attack escalated, leading to Kelly stabbing Samyia in the neck and chest, and her twin sister was slashed in the arm. Samyia later died from her injuries, while her sister survived.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of violence against women, particularly in cases where rejection of unwanted advances leads to fatal outcomes. The case has sparked outrage and protests from local residents, highlighting the need for justice and the importance of addressing the risk of violence women face after rejecting the advances of men.
VEO KELLY ARRESTED & CHARGED W/ MURDER OF 19 YEAR OLD SAMYIA SPAIN AFTER REJECTING HIM AT A BROOKLYN BODEGA
— LLN NYC (@loudlabsnyc) March 22, 2024
Video by @MeirChaimowitz
NYPD: Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, the following individual was arrested and charged on Friday, March 22, 2024 in the confines of the… pic.twitter.com/zrpc82Qvxc
The killing of Samyia Spain, who was Black, has prompted discussions about the higher risk of homicide faced by Black women compared to their white counterparts.
The arrest and charges against Kelly mark a significant step towards justice for the Spain family and the community. The incident has also raised awareness about the dangers of “rejection killings” and the need for societal intervention to prevent such tragedies.
