Nigerian Fashion Designer Sheriff Shittu Shot Dead In US Nightclub

A 30-year-old Nigerian immigrant and aspiring fashion designer, Sheriff Shittu, has been fatally shot during a late-night altercation at a nightclub in Brooklyn, United States.

The incident occurred at about 4:25 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, inside Quilox Restaurant and Lounge, located in East Flatbush on Church Avenue near 95th Street, according to police authorities.

Shittu was reportedly shot in the head after confronting a drunk patron who allegedly groped his girlfriend and other women inside the club.

Sheriff had gone to the nightclub with his younger brother, Fawaz Shittu, to celebrate a friend’s birthday, just a day before their mother was scheduled to arrive from Nigeria for a visit.

Recounting the tragic incident, Fawaz said he watched helplessly as his brother collapsed after the gunshot.

“I was screaming his name,” Fawaz said. “I was trying to wake him up.”

According to him, the altercation began when a visibly intoxicated man started groping women at the club, including Sheriff’s girlfriend. Sheriff confronted the man, leading to a tussle.

Disturbed by the incident, the brothers left the club about 45 minutes after arriving. However, they returned shortly after discovering that Sheriff had left his mobile phone behind.

“When we came back, the drunk was being escorted out,” Fawaz said. “The owner was saying, ‘Don’t mind that person — he’s a crazy guy.’ A few seconds later, I heard ‘pow,’ and I looked down and I saw my brother.”

A bartender reportedly attempted to perform CPR on Sheriff as he lay motionless on the floor. The gunman fled the scene and remained at large.

“He was able to escape,” Fawaz said. “I don’t know how that happened or how he got the gun in the club. Security didn’t do its job. They didn’t search. You’re supposed to check people and their bags.”

Emergency responders rushed Sheriff to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. However, family members said he remains on life support as they continued to hope for a miracle.

“He has been pronounced dead, but we’re still hoping,” said another brother, Salem Shittu. “We’re holding out with our faith in God.”

Describing Sheriff as a caring and protective individual, Salem said, “He was a very sweet person, very outgoing. He was protective of his family, his friends and his loved ones.”

The tragedy occurred just a day before their 60-year-old mother, Foluke Shittu, arrived in the United States for a pre-planned visit to her sons’ home in Far Rockaway, Queens. She reportedly learned about her son’s death after landing.

“My son was a very kind person,” Foluke said. “I love him. We spoke on Friday, and I arrived on Sunday. That’s when they told me.”

Sheriff immigrated to the United States from Nigeria in 2018. He worked as a security guard while building his fashion brand, Riff Ent.

“We’re going to keep pushing his brand,” Salem said. “We’re just trying to make a way for one another.”

The family is calling for justice and demanding the maximum penalty for the suspect once apprehended.

“We want him to get life in prison, the maximum sentence,” Salem said. “If there’s a death penalty in New York, use that.”

As of press time, police authorities were yet to announce any arrests in connection with the shooting.