The Incident

Michael Hernandez, a 27-year-old man, was fatally attacked at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenue shortly after 9 p.m. last Friday. The stabbing occurred as a K-pop concert was taking place at the nearby Barclays Center. Hernandez was reportedly approached by a group that stabbed him multiple times, including multiple wounds to his back and a critical injury to his chest.

Emergency responders attempted to perform CPR at the scene, but unfortunately, they were unable to save him.

A Community in Mourning

During the emotional vigil on Tuesday, attendees released balloons in honor of Hernandez and chanted, “Justice for Michael R. Hernandez Jr.” His family is now appealing to the public for information that could lead to the identification of those responsible for his death.

Marisol Miranda, Hernandez’s mother, expressed her devastation, stating, “I was told my kid was beaten, and after being beaten, they followed him to stab him to kill him.” Her anguish was further echoed by Hernandez’s uncle, Alvaro Hernandez, who reflected on the tragic moments before Michael passed away, remembering his last words as a plea for life: “Please don’t let me die.”

Demands for Justice

Miranda emphasized the need for accountability, insisting that even if the perpetrators are minors, they should be prosecuted as adults. She stated, “If they were adolescents, I want them to be charged as adults. I want justice for my son.”