US-Based Nigerian Fashion Designer Shot Dead in Brooklyn Nightclub Altercation
Sheriff Shittu, a 30-year-old Nigerian fashion designer residing in the United States, was tragically shot and killed during a birthday celebration at a nightclub in Brooklyn, New York. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Quilox Restaurant and Lounge, following an altercation with an intoxicated patron.
Details of the Tragic Nightclub Shooting
Shittu had attended the event with his younger brother, Fawaz Shittu, to celebrate a friend's birthday. According to reports, the shooting escalated from a confrontation involving a drunk patron who was being escorted out of the club by security personnel. The suspect allegedly inappropriately touched some female guests, including Shittu's girlfriend, sparking a heated exchange.
Fawaz Shittu recounted the chaotic scene, stating that the disagreement began after the patron engaged in unruly behavior inside the club. He described screaming his brother's name and trying to wake him after the shooting. Police authorities confirmed that the suspect fled the scene immediately after the incident and remains at large, with an ongoing search underway.
Family Calls for Justice and Security Concerns
Shittu was rushed to One Brooklyn Health–Brookdale University Hospital Medical Centre, where he was pronounced dead. His family has since called for justice, expressing deep concerns about security procedures at the venue. Salem Shittu, another brother of the deceased, questioned how the security failed to properly search patrons, allowing a gun to be brought into the club.
"We don't know how the security did not do the job and search properly before somebody could bring a gun into the club," Salem said. "He was being kicked out, and he was being escorted out when he did it." The family's outcry highlights broader issues of safety in entertainment venues and the need for stricter security measures to prevent such tragedies.
Context of Violence Against Nigerians Abroad
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of violence targeting Nigerians living abroad. In a related case, Emeka Uzor, a Nigerian national, was shot dead in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 8, 2026, prompting calls from the Nigerian Union of South Africa for an urgent investigation. Additionally, Oreoluwa Odetunde, a Nigerian student and University of Lagos graduate, was found dead in her off-campus residence in New York, underscoring the vulnerabilities faced by the Nigerian diaspora.
The loss of Sheriff Shittu has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian community, both in the US and back home, as they mourn a promising young talent whose life was cut short by senseless violence.
