Bullet ends a dream

Bullet ends a dream

Confusion spread along 167th Street as a shaken community mourned the loss of one of its most peaceful members.

Urban Cap storeowner, Amou Fall, 32, was shot once in the head Tuesday, September 9, at 7:15 p.m. during a robbery in his Bronx store.

“He was a very pleasant gentleman,” neighborhood resident Noel Slack said, recalling his frequent exchanges with Fall. “He was just trying to make an honest living. He didn’t deserve this.”

According to friends, Fall immigrated to the United States in 2000 from Senegal to live the American dream.

After five years of saving, he and his half-brother, Alpha Bah, opened the shop near the Grand Concourse, just steps from the B/D subway stop, where they sold hats, belts and t-shirts, among other items.

“Every time I passed by, he was standing there to say hello,” Urban Cap customer and neighborhood resident Peggy Black explained. “He was an asset to the community.”

Black stood for several minutes, grocery bags in hand, staring in disbelief at the memorial of flowers and burning candles that commemorates Fall’s untimely death.

“They always take the best, because he was the best,” she said.

As the hours continued to pass, and news of the neighborhood tragedy made its way through the stunned community, additional tokens of were placed in front of his store in remembrance of the well-loved merchant.

Friends said Fall, who was also called Ishmael, will be flown back to Senegal for his burial.

“He was a good friend,” community member Anthony Rivera said, “He was always cool, always laid back.”

Fall recently moved into an apartment on the Grand Concourse with a roommate. He was saving for marriage.

As of press time, no arrests had been made.

There is still an ongoing investigation into Fall’s death. Anyone with information about the shooting is being asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous.