Fatal stabbing in Prospect Park South ends in life sentence

November 18, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

The Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, located at 320 Jay St. in Downtown Brooklyn. Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese

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A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison on Thursday for fatally stabbing a teenager during a 2020 confrontation in Prospect Park South.

Mamadou Barry, 35, was convicted of second-degree murder on Oct. 16, 2024, following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson for the death of Mamadou Bah, 19, both of whom were immigrants from Senegal.

According to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the stabbing occurred on Feb. 18, 2020, in front of 591 Ocean Avenue. Barry, known as “Zion,” and Bah were socializing with friends when Barry pulled out a knife and lunged at Bah, stabbing him in the chest. The attack punctured Bah’s lung and heart, leading to his death during emergency surgery at Kings County Hospital.

The scene of the fatal 2020 stabbing at 591 Ocean Avenue, where Mamadou Bah was attacked by Mamadou Barry. Screenshot via Google Street View

After the stabbing, Bah fled to a nearby barbershop, where he collapsed and asked employees to call his mother before being rushed to the hospital. Barry was later identified through surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and social media. He was arrested in Secaucus, New Jersey, in Dec. 2020.

“The life of Mamadou Bah was senselessly cut short at the hands of this defendant whose horrific actions left an entire community devastated. Hopefully, today’s lengthy sentence allows for some closure for the victim’s family and friends as they continue to grieve the young man’s tragic death.”

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gianna Del Grippo and Assistant District Attorney Daphney Gachette under the supervision of Homicide Bureau Chief Leila Rosini.