A Christian couple has been stabbed to death by a man wearing a ski mask while they were walking home this month.
Hazel Brown and Stephenson Bonaparte, who owned a Christian bookstore called King Solomon Religious, were almost home when they were attacked by the robber, according to the New York Times. Brown was reported dead at the scene while Bonaparte was rushed to Kings County Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The couple's daughter, who lives upstairs in their house, heard the attack and rushed downstairs to find her parents' bloodied bodies. She believed her parents put up a good fight to prevent the thief from entering the house.
A neighbor, who only offered the name Tony, rushed to the scene and was heartbroken over what he saw. "Good people, hardworking people, well-respected people," he said of the Christian couple. "They were very loving to each other."
The police are treating the case as a random robbery, but some detectives believe the attack was caused by the couple's money issues. Bonaparte filed for bankruptcy back in 2015, reported the New York Post. They were earning $1,100 a month but their expenses reached $2,200 monthly. Their accumulated debts have totalled to $45,000.
But despite their money woes, the couple remained positive and regularly attended church. Bevorne Scotland, who works at a nearby hair salon, cannot believe they are gone.
"They were good people," she said. "It hurts a lot 'cause just yesterday I saw them - just doing what they do, doing their routine. They were in good spirits. I still can't believe it."
Mohammad Rashed, who works at a corner deli next to the bookstore, feels the same way. Bonaparte visited his shop at least three times a day just to buy peppermint tea, and he had nothing but nice things to say about his neighbor and customer. "He is a really good guy," he said.
