Bronx family demands local bar where loved one was fatally stabbed to shut down
Police say that the stabbing was a result of a verbal dispute that escalated, but Olivia and others of Barakel’s family say that Barakel was not known for violence.
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A family in mourning is seeking justice and calling on a local bar to close after their loved one was fatally stabbed at the business on Saturday morning.
Olivia Castelan says that El Chicanito, the restaurant and bar where her brother, 32-year-old Barakel Castelan was killed, has always received complaints. According to the NYPD, Barakel was stabbed in the neck, arm, and chest at around 4 a.m. at the bar and died to his injuries.
El Chicanito is located on East 153rd Street just one block away from Barakel lived. His sister Olivia says the Castelan family was hit hard when the bar was open for business the very next day.
"That place continued their business like nothing happened, that same night my brother died,” said Olivia Castelan. “They could've had a little bit of remorse and said you know what out of respect let's just close for tonight."
Police say that the stabbing was a result of a verbal dispute that escalated, but Olivia and others of Barakel’s family say that Barakel was not known for violence. Olivia says her brother provided for their mother and his family, including his two daughters and other family members.
The NYPD says the suspect remains at large and was last seen wearing a long sleeve shirt with lettering on the sleeve and back.The family has started a GoFundme to raise money for Barakel's funeral and to help support the two children he left behind.
