Police Probe Death of Bike Messenger After Williamsburg Art Gallery Event - Williamsburg - New York

Curtis Valentine"> <a href=Curtis Valentine, 32, passed away after suffering a head injury inside Head Too Heavy Gallery, police said." />Curtis Valentine, 32, passed away after suffering a head injury inside Head Too Heavy Gallery, police said. View Full Caption

Facebook

WILLIAMSBURG — Detectives are investigating the death of a bike messenger who died after suffering a head injury at a Bushwick Avenue art gallery.

Bushwick resident Curtis Valentine, 32, a skateboarder and Virginia native, died after sustaining the injury Saturday night outside of the Head Too Heavy Gallery at 383 Bushwick Ave., though the circumstances are still unclear, said 83rd Precinct Detective John Bartek.

Valentine's roommate called 911 at 9 p.m. Saturday night after finding him unconscious on the ground of their apartment following the gallery event, according to police.

Initial reports deemed his death unsuspicious with no obvious injuries. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which didn't immediately return a request for comment Thursday, will determine his cause of death. 

Police are now hoping attendees of the Saturday night opening, a tribute for two artists who'd died of drug overdoses, will come forward with eyewitness accounts or cellphone videos if something occurred, Bartek said.

They're hoping to determine if a fight broke out and Valentine was attacked, or if he slipped and fell, the detective explained.

On Thursday afternoon, officers from the 83rd Precinct were spotted canvassing Troutman Street near Valentine's apartment for video surveillance from Saturday night.

Friends took to social media asking for witnesses to come forward with information on Valentine's death.

"They need to come forward. Someone’s life was lost,” said Jennifer Manfredi, 31, a friend of Valentine’s since the two met 15 years ago in Tampa, Florida, where they both spent much of their teenage years. She Valentine as the positive and giving, “life of the party.”

“They need to speak up about it so his family and friends can get peace," said Manfredi. "He didn't deserve to go out like this."

On Sunday, the Head Too Heavy Gallery posted pictures of Saturday's event, calling it a "great crowd and positive energy all around."

The gallery, which posted about Curtis' death on Wednesday, didn't immediately return a request for comment.

A memorial service for Valentine is planned for Sunday afternoon at the SuperChief Gallery, 1628 Jefferson Ave. in Bushwick.

Anyone with information about Valentine's death can call NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 or 90th Precinct Detectives at 718-574-1796.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rent control rumored to be driving apartment sales | News

Mountain View's rent- control program has already survived political and legal trials -- but what about the business test? An increasing number of apartment owners appear to be cashing out rather than working under the new restrictions. If the trend continues, some say it will lead to a cascade of redevelopment spearheaded by large corporate buyers . This scenario would result in older apartments being phased out and replaced with new housing that is exempt from rent control. Those looking at the data with a more critical eye point out that sales of apartment buildings are up throughout the South Bay, and that the number of buyers indicates a healthy interest in investing in Mountain View housing , regardless of rent control. To take one example, Fremont residents Ann and Paul Lethers decided in June to sell their 18-unit complex on Del Medio Avenue in Mountain View, which they created from separate purchases of two adjacent nine-unit buildings. They say they h...
Read more

15 must-see attractions on Staten Island

Image
With major developments underway , Staten Island is slowly losing its nickname as the “forgotten borough.” While projects like the New York Wheel, Empire Outlets and the expansion of the former Stapleton homeport hope to revitalize the water-front borough with new residential and commercial space, Staten Island already offers visitors a ton of unique attractions to explore. Just take the free Staten Island Ferry to discover the miles of coastline and 12,300-acres of parkland in the city’s greenest and least populated borough. For the best spots in the borough, follow 6sqft’s list ahead of the 15 most unforgettable attractions on Staten Island . snug harbor cultural center , staten island attractions" width="1500" height="1000" /> Image via NYC & Company snug harbor cultural center , staten island attractions" width="1500" height="1000" /> New York Chinese Scholar ’s Garden via NYC & Company 1. Snug Harbor Cultural...
Read more

Petaluma smash-and-grab, car chase, leads to thorny arrest | Petaluma Argus Courier

Two men suspected of brazenly breaking into cars early Friday evening led police on a chase through Petaluma, fleeing on foot after an officer rammed a patrol car into the suspect’s vehicle in an attempt to end the pursuit, police said. Around 5:20 p.m., police received reports that two men associated with a white Chrysler sedan were smashing a car window in the parking lot of the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets , according to a news release from the Petaluma Police Department . Within a few minutes, police located the Chrysler in the parking lot, though the driver immediately sped away from the 2200 Petaluma Blvd . North retail complex . The driver led police on a chase headed southbound on the heavily congested Petaluma Boulevard South , topping out at 60 mph, police said. Less than a mile later, the driver made a left onto Shasta Avenue, which is a dead end street . When the driver attempted to turn around and flee, an officer used the front of his patrol vehicle to push the...
Read more