A 30-year-old Nigerian aspiring fashion designer, Sheriff Shittu, was fatally shot in the head during an early morning altercation at a Brooklyn nightclub, in what police and family members describe as a tragic escalation following a dispute with an intoxicated patron.
The shooting occurred at approximately 4:25 a.m. on Saturday inside the Quilox Restaurant and Lounge, located in the East Flatbush neighbourhood along Church Avenue near East 95th Street, according to law enforcement authorities.
Shittu had visited the club with his younger brother, Fawaz Shittu, to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The outing was meant to be a joyful occasion, coming just one day before their mother was scheduled to arrive from Nigeria for a planned family visit.
Instead, the night ended in violence that has left a family grieving and searching for answers.
Altercation Inside the Club
According to accounts provided by Fawaz, the confrontation began when an unidentified man, described as heavily intoxicated, allegedly began groping women inside the club, including Sheriff’s girlfriend.
Sheriff reportedly intervened, leading to a physical tussle between him and the suspect. The situation initially appeared to de-escalate, and the brothers decided to leave the venue roughly 45 minutes after arriving, disturbed by the commotion.
However, after exiting the premises, they realized Sheriff had left his cellphone behind. They returned to retrieve it.
By the time they re-entered the club, the intoxicated individual was being escorted out. Fawaz recounted that the club’s owner attempted to reassure them and persuade them to remain at the establishment.
“The owner was saying, ‘Don’t mind that person — he’s a crazy guy,’” Fawaz said, recalling the moments before the shooting.
Seconds later, gunfire erupted.
“I heard ‘pow,’ and I looked down, and I saw my brother,” Fawaz said. “I was screaming his name. I was trying to wake him up.”
Chaos and Aftermath
Witnesses described a scene of panic as patrons scrambled for safety. A bartender reportedly rushed to Sheriff’s side and began performing CPR as he lay motionless on the floor.
Emergency medical personnel transported him to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.
Despite the official pronouncement, the family has maintained life support, clinging to hope for a miracle.
“He has been pronounced dead, but we’re still hoping,” said another brother, Salem Shittu, 24. “We’re holding out with our faith in God.”
The suspected gunman fled the scene and remains at large. Authorities have not announced any arrests as of the time of reporting.
Fawaz expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate security measures at the nightclub.
“He was able to escape,” he said. “I don’t know how that happened or how he got the gun in the club. Security didn’t do its job. They didn’t search. You’re supposed to check people and their bags.”
Law enforcement officials have not publicly commented on the club’s security protocols but confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.
A Mother’s Devastation
The tragedy unfolded just hours before the victim’s 60-year-old mother, Foluke Shittu, arrived in New York for a preplanned visit to her sons’ home in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Unaware of the events that had transpired, she completed her journey from Nigeria only to be informed of her son’s death after landing.
“My son was a very kind person,” she said. “I love him. We spoke on Friday, and I arrived on Sunday. That’s when they told me.”
Family members described Sheriff as protective, outgoing, and deeply committed to his loved ones.
“He was a very sweet person, very outgoing,” Salem said. “He was protective of his family, his friends and his loved ones.”
A Life of Promise Cut Short
Sheriff Shittu immigrated to the United States from Nigeria in 2018 in pursuit of greater opportunities. While working as a security guard to support himself, he was steadily building his own fashion label, Riff Ent., reflecting his ambition to establish a footprint in the fashion industry.
Family members say he poured his creativity and long-term aspirations into the fledgling brand, balancing demanding work hours with design and entrepreneurial efforts.
“We’re going to keep pushing his brand,” Salem said. “We’re just trying to make a way for one another.”
His death has left not only an emotional void but also the abrupt interruption of a promising creative journey.
Call for Justice
As investigators continue to search for the suspect, the family is demanding accountability and justice.
“We want him to get life in prison, the maximum sentence,” Salem said. “If there’s a death penalty in New York, use that.”
Under New York State law, the death penalty is not currently in effect, but the family’s statement reflects the depth of their anguish and desire for the strongest possible punishment.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as they work to identify and apprehend the suspect.
The fatal incident has also reignited concerns about nightclub security, gun access, and late-night violence in parts of New York City.
For the Shittu family, however, the broader policy debates are secondary to their immediate grief. What was meant to be a celebratory weekend reunion has turned into an unimaginable loss.
As they navigate the painful days ahead, they remain united in faith and in their determination to honour Sheriff’s memory by continuing the work he began — both in family and in fashion.
