Brooklyn homeless shelter murder raises safety concerns as homicides surge

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – The search continues for the man responsible for killing a worker at a homeless shelter in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Thursday night. The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Robbie Miller. 

His murder is raising safety concerns among residents in Brownsville as homicides have more than doubled this year.

“When I came down, I saw the guy fell down, bleeding, drooping blood,” said Patricio, a resident at the homeless shelter where  35-year-old Robbie Miller was stabbed in the neck and abdomen, according to police.

 The stabbing happened in the lobby of the building at around 6:15 p.m

‘He used to work here, for one month,” added Patricio.

Patricio also said the perpetrator was allegedly seen walking in front of the shelter before the fatal attack and that Miller was apparently walking out to his car.   

“He came two times here. He passed by. He was listening to music,” said Patricio.

Surveillance cameras from a bodega near the shelter captured an individual running away who fits the police description of the person police are looking for.  

The suspect is described as being about 6 feet tall and about 225 pounds. He was last seen wearing all black, with a ski mask and a baseball cap.

“It is just sad man,” said  Grant, who lives next door to this former Days Inn by Wyndham, which was turned into a shelter following the pandemic.

“I don’t know what’s to happen, but something has to happen, something has to change,” added Grant.

With Miller’s homicide, 19 murders have been reported in the 73rd precinct so far this year, compared to seven in 2023.

“It is happening everywhere. I don’t know what is going on. People are just bad out here,” said Eddie Alteno, who also lives in this section of Brownsville.

The Department of Homeless Services said in a statement, " This is an absolutely horrific tragedy and a tremendous loss to the Department of Homeless Services.”

It is unclear if the perpetrator knew the victim or the motive behind the stabbing. 

The investigation remains ongoing.