First look: Bronx bodega worker, 20, killed by NYPD after masked gunmen stick ... - New York Daily News

An unarmed Bronx bodega worker fleeing a botched armed robbery at his uncle's store was accidentally shot dead by a police officer early Friday, cops said.

While witnesses said Reynaldo Cuevas was killed in a lethal case of mistaken identity, police said his death came after the officer's gun went off as the two collided outside the store.

Cuevas, 20, was shot once shortly after three masked gunman burst into the Nathalie Deli & Grocery in Morrisania as the bodega was shutting down at 1:50 a.m., according to witnesses and the victim's relatives.

A police officer who had just arrived at the crime scene apparently thought the young man bolting from the store was one of the bandits — and fired one fatal shot, said witness Jose Garcia, 27.

"The owner opened the door and came out with his hands up," said Garcia, the victim's cousin. "He said, 'They're robbing me! They're robbing me!'"

But Cuevas rushed from the store without saying a word or raising his hands.

"He just came out running," said Garcia. "They thought he was one of the robbers, but he just worked there, and they shot him."

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said the shooting was accidental, with the officer's gun going off when the escaping Cuevas ran "full-tilt" into the cop outside the store.

Cuevas was sprinting with his head down when he slammed into the officer, who was standing with his gun drawn, according to Browne.

As the two tumbled to the ground, the cop "accidentally discharged his firearm" — inflicting the mortal wound, Browne said.

A second witness said none of the officers identified themselves or ordered Cuevas to stop before the deadly shot rang out.

"The cops shot him, right as he came out of the store," said C.C. Berrian, who walked out of the bodega just before the robbers came in. "Right after I left, I heard the shot and I saw the boy drop.

"They didn't say nothing before they shot," added the rattled 18-year-old. "I'm freaked out. My whole body is shivering."

Witnesses reported the cops dragging the wounded man's body to a stretcher. He was pronounced dead a short time later at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

The store owner escaped unscathed, and the three suspects were all arrested — one who quickly surrendered and the other two after a tense 3 1/2-hour standoff when they hid in the store.