Harlem Bodega Owner Tragically Killed in Crossfire

In a tragic turn of events, 61-year-old Excenia Mette, a respected former bodega owner and pillar of her Harlem community, was fatally shot in the head on Tuesday night. Mette was struck by a stray bullet outside her apartment building at West 113th Street and Lenox Avenue while checking on her grandson amid a sudden burst of gunfire.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the heart-wrenching incident. The video shows Mette stepping outside Tamara’s Beauty Bar—located on the ground floor of her building—just after 10:30 p.m. After hearing gunshots, she looked around, possibly searching for her grandson, and attempted to retreat inside as more shots rang out. Tragically, she collapsed outside the salon’s entrance, fatally struck by a bullet not meant for her.

Law enforcement sources report the deadly shootout began when an argument between two men escalated into gunfire. During a struggle, one man pulled a weapon; the second followed by firing his gun, with one shot fatally hitting Mette. The same shootout also injured another victim.

Security footage reveals bystanders scrambling for safety, ducking behind vehicles, while Mette stepped outside and appeared to shout. As another round of shots erupted, she tried to run back inside but was hit and fell to the sidewalk. Moments later, others cautiously approached to check on her.

Police recovered at least eight shell casings from the scene. One of the suspects, 23-year-old Darious Smith, sustained a gunshot wound to the foot and has been arrested. Authorities continue searching for the second gunman responsible for Mette’s death.

Known affectionately as “Zeenie,” Mette was a cherished figure in Harlem. She owned and operated Momma Zee’s Food to Plez Deli for nearly 40 years, launching the city’s first Black- and woman-owned bodega in the 1980s. Although the deli shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, her legacy endured.

On Wednesday, mourners gathered outside the beauty salon to pay tribute. A heartfelt memorial featuring candles and flowers shaped into the letter “Z” and a heart appeared at the scene. Handwritten notes celebrated her life, with messages such as, “We love your soul, Momma Zee,” and “You taught me how to be a gentleman, without a Pops.”

Excenia Mette’s final act—stepping into danger to ensure her grandson’s safety—embodied the courage and care for which she was so deeply loved. Her untimely death underscores the devastating toll of gun violence on innocent lives.