Key Takeaways:
– Lamine Bah, a 33-year-old immigrant from Guinea, was fatally shot outside his Brooklyn apartment building.
– The hardworking father of three worked round the clock to support his family both in Brooklyn and back in Guinea.
– Bah, also a cook at a local West African restaurant, was respected and adored by his family, colleagues, and customers.
– The tragic incident, leaving the family shocked and devastated, reportedly happened as Bah attempted to save his e-bike from being towed.
– The family is now seeking justice, urging the assailant to turn himself in.
An Unfathomable Loss
A hardworking father from Brooklyn, the victim of a fatal shooting, has left a void that is tragically felt by his grieving family. An immigrant from Guinea, 33-year-old Lamine Bah was fatally shot in the head outside his family’s Brooklyn apartment building on Wednesday, leaving behind a devastated family that included his wife and three kids back home in Guinea.
Bah, the eldest in his family, had relocated to the United States in 2019 and was known for his dedication to providing for his family. Working seven days a week, Bah balanced his day job as a cook at a local West African restaurant with his night job delivering food for DoorDash using his e-bike.
Tragic Circumstance Unfolds
On that ill-fated evening, responding to news that e-bikes parked outside his apartment were getting towed, Bah tried to save his e-bike from the tow truck. During this attempt, two men reportedly approached him around 5:50 p.m. One of the men fired multiple rounds, hitting Bah in the head, the police relayed.
On receiving the devastating news, Bah’s younger brother and a friend hurriedly rushed to Kings County Hospital, where the doctors were unable to revive him. “They were trying to do CPR, but he was not responding,” Bah’s younger brother, Idrissa Bah, painfully recalled.
Beloved Family Man and Hard Worker
Described by his family as a kind and religious man who lived a quiet life, Bah’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through his family. “He was jovial, had no problems and was not the type of person to get into arguments. Sounds more like the wrong place, wrong time,” recalled his colleague Diao Diallo.
With the family restaurant Biro-En, where Bah worked, closed in memorial, colleagues and customers are left in sadness. Reflecting on Bah’s life, his younger sister Aissata said, “He was very caring, always liked to include everyone. He was nurturing.”
Beyond providing for the family financially, Bah was also their emotional rock. He had taken over his mother’s cooking duties at home after she suffered a stroke in 2021. He devoted his spare time to reading the Quran and imparting spiritual wisdom to his siblings.
Looking For Justice
With the killer still at large, family and friends are keenly seeking justice for Bah’s senseless murder. “The person has to repent,” urged Bah’s cousin, Amadou. Idrissa, painfully stepping into the role of the eldest brother, attempts to be strong for the family. “Everybody cannot cry at the same time,” he admitted, fighting back his tears.
As investigations continue, the hope is that a fast track to justice will ease the pain and help the family find closure. Lamine Bah’s untimely departure is a stark reminder of the risk many immigrant workers face, pursuing the American dream while trying to provide for their families back home.