( 4UMF NEWS ) Street Vendor Shoots Rivals:
A Bronx street vendor in a pinstripe suit and derby hat shot two competitors Thursday outside Yankee Stadium, where witnesses claim a sidewalk turf war had been brewing.
The shoot-’em-up on Gerard Ave. and E. 161st St. erupted at 1:45 p.m. when the nattily dressed African oil salesman armed with a .357 Magnum went berserk.
A 41-year-old man peddling newspapers and magazines was shot multiple times, and a 60-year-old man selling bottled water was hit once during the barrage, which sent patrons and other vendors diving for cover.
The gunman, Horace Coleman, 52, tried to run from the scene but was quickly captured by four officers from nearby Bronx Supreme Court, who were on their lunch break, sources and officials said..
“He didn’t say anything. He walked up, pulled out and started firing. Bang! Bang! Bang!” said witness Leroy McGrant, 56.
The dapper pistol-packer is known on the streets as “Ace,” other street vendors said.
“They were trying to bully him out of his spot,” said Gracie Olivera, Coleman’s friend who watched his eventual surrender.
Coleman was arrested by Bronx court officers Wascar Herrera, Steve Snyder, and Sgts. Paul Tammaro and Vincent Alis.
“Their respective actions of bravery exemplify the standard of professionalism and courage of all New York State court officers,” said Richard Krulish, president of state Supreme Court Officers Association.
