The family of a 31-year-old man stabbed to death in the Bronx across from Fordham University thought he had joined the U.S. Army when he left home months ago — and now are grappling with questions about what sparked the fatal confrontation.
Bamba Fode was killed by a fruit stand on E. Fordham Road near Webster Ave. about 5:25 p.m. Sunday, police said.
His accused killer, Dontay Taylor. 20, who stabbed Fode numerous times in the chest, ran from the scene but was nabbed carrying a knife by cops two blocks away, police said.
Taylor was charged Monday with murder, manslaughter and weapon possession, police said.
Fode was rushed by medics to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died about 45 minutes later.
It’s not yet clear what the pair argued about before Taylor allegedly stabbed Fode, though News 12 quoted a witness saying Fode appeared to be trying to look inside a bag the kill er was carrying when the attack unfolded.
Fode’s relatives, gathered in the family’s apartment in the Melrose section of the Bronx said he is survived by his parents and four siblings.
One relative, who asked her name not be printed, said Fode “was the heart of our family.”
“He was the better version of all of us in our family,” she said. “Everyone who met him loved him.”
Another relative, a cousin, said Fode moved out months ago because he said he had just enlisted.
“That’s the last time we spoke,” she said. “He said he signed up for the Army.”
It wasn’t clear Monday if Fode actually ever enlisted.
