Brooklyn Mother Killed at Park Gathering After Rejecting Man’s Advances, NYPD Says

Shakeema Davis, 30, was fatally stabbed during a park barbecue that she’d organized — and her killer had called to find out where it was, cops said.Robert Mecea for New York Pos

A late-night gathering in a Brooklyn park turned fatal when 30-year-old mother Shakeema Davis was attacked after repeatedly rejecting a man’s advances, according to the NYPD. Her 7-year-old son was among roughly 15 to 20 people present when the confrontation unfolded.

Police say Davis was attacked shortly after midnight on Aug. 18 inside Lincoln Terrace–Arthur S. Somers Park in Crown Heights. She was taken to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, where she later died. Investigators have identified a strong person of interest and the vehicle they believe was used to leave the area, but as of Aug. 20, police said they had not established probable cause to make an arrest.

A gathering organized by Davis

According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, Davis had organized the gathering at the park near Rochester Avenue and Eastern Parkway.

The man police believe was responsible contacted Davis to find out where the gathering was being held and later arrived at the park.

Throughout the evening, the group was socializing, listening to music, drinking and smoking, Kenny said. During that time, investigators believe the man repeatedly made sexual advances toward Davis.

Davis repeatedly refused.

Kenny said the disagreement was initially verbal before becoming physical. According to the police account, Davis threw a drink at the man after the confrontation escalated. He then allegedly began assaulting her.

Davis attempted to defend herself by picking up the barbecue and striking him with it, police said.

The man then produced a knife and stabbed Davis three times, according to Kenny.

Her 7-year-old son was at the park

One of the most troubling details revealed by investigators was who witnessed the confrontation.

Kenny said approximately 15 to 20 people were at the gathering, including Davis’ 7-year-old son.

Police have already interviewed several witnesses who said they saw what happened. At least two or three people reportedly attempted to stop and detain the attacker until officers arrived.

Those attempts were unsuccessful. Kenny said the man continued wielding the knife, preventing bystanders from safely restraining him, before he escaped.

Investigators subsequently identified a strong person of interest and a vehicle believed to have been involved in his departure from the scene. Police said Thursday they were still gathering the evidence necessary for an arrest.

Questions over Davis’ previous relationship with the man

Investigators have identified a strong person of interest in the slaying, but don’t yet have probable cause to arrest him.Robert Mecea for New York Post

Police believe Davis and the person of interest knew each other before the gathering.

Kenny said investigators believed there had been some form of previous relationship between them, which helped explain why the man was able to attend the event.

Davis’ mother, Adra Pegues, offered a more specific account. She said her daughter had gone on only one date with the man and decided afterward that she was not interested in pursuing a relationship.

According to Pegues, her daughter simply did not consider him a suitable match and did not want to continue seeing him.

Her account is consistent with the central motive investigators are examining: that the confrontation escalated after Davis repeatedly rejected the man’s advances at the gathering.

Friend desperately tried to save her

As the attacker fled, people at the gathering rushed to help Davis.

Her longtime friend Freddie described desperately attempting to stop her bleeding while waiting for emergency responders.

He removed his shirt and used it to apply pressure to her wounds, but Davis’ injuries proved fatal. She was transported to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and pronounced dead.

The initial NYPD account released shortly after the incident provided far fewer details. Police said at the time that Davis had suffered multiple stab wounds during an altercation and that officers were searching for a shirtless male person of interest wearing gray sweatpants who had fled along Rochester Avenue.

Two days later, investigators publicly revealed the additional circumstances surrounding the gathering, the alleged repeated advances and the confrontation that preceded Davis’ death.

Investigation continues

Davis lived approximately half a mile from the park where she was killed.

While police say they have identified a strong person of interest, no arrest had been announced as of Aug. 20. Kenny emphasized that investigators were still working to establish probable cause.

The accounts of the witnesses who were present, the relationship between Davis and the person of interest, and the vehicle investigators believe was used to flee are now central pieces of the continuing investigation.

For Davis’ family, the case has left two devastating realities: a 30-year-old mother was killed at a gathering she had organized, and her young son was there when the violence unfolded.