Suspect charged after stabbing twin sisters in Brooklyn, leaving one dead

20-year-old Veo Kelly turned himself in to the New York Police Department on Friday

A man has been formally charged for allegedly stabbing nineteen-year-old twin sisters in New York City, resulting in the tragic death of one of the siblings.

Veo Kelly, 20, surrendered himself to the New York Police Department’s 78th Precinct on March 22, as reported by the New York Daily News. He faces charges of murder, assault, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

The incident occurred at a deli in Park Slope, Brooklyn, around 2 a.m. on March 17, where Samyia and Sanyia Spain were attacked. Samyia sustained a stab wound to the chest, which tragically led to her passing in the hospital, while Sanyia was stabbed in the arm but has since been discharged from medical care.

Samyia Spain was fatally stabbed in a Brooklyn bodega on 17 March

Allegedly, Mr. Kelly had made advances towards the sisters, which they rejected before the assault. Sanyia recounted attempting to remove themselves from the situation in the deli, stating, “I grabbed her phone and I was like, ‘Come with me, come with me,’” as reported by the Daily News.

The twins, accompanied by their older brother, had just left a family game night when the altercation occurred. The deli worker reportedly ejected Mr. Kelly from the store and locked the door, but the siblings encountered him again outside along with two companions.

According to Sanyia, Mr. Kelly threatened them with a knife, stating, “I’m gonna stab y’all in the face,” before pushing Samyia to the ground. When the man approached, their brother intervened and was punched in the face. Sanyia was stabbed in the arm during the scuffle, and tragically, Samyia was fatally stabbed in the neck.

Slope Natural Plus deli in Brooklyn, New York, where Samyia Spain was fatally stabbed

Despite her injuries, Sanyia managed to call the police after her sister expressed distress. The NYPD Chief of Detectives, Joseph Kenny, mentioned that Mr. Kelly’s lawyer had been in touch with investigators, and the suspect's apartment was searched following his identification.

Community members expressed sorrow over the devastating loss, with one deli worker stating, “They’re very nice. I know their father, too. They come here all the time, customers for maybe over, I would say, over 10 years I know them."

A memorial adorned with flowers, teddy bears, and candles has formed outside Samyia’s home as a tribute to her memory.