Edy Corniel, 28, was fatally shot in the early morning hours of January 20, 2020, after celebrating his birthday with friends at Floridita Restaurant and Bar, an all-night venue in Inwood, Manhattan. The shooting followed a minor bump in the crowded restaurant that escalated when a man, later identified as Todd Drayton, allegedly became confrontational and tried to punch Corniel’s friend. Drayton is accused of obtaining a handgun from a woman identified as Tyler Burgos and opening fire. Corniel was struck in the torso and died after being taken to St. Barnabas Hospital. Two other patrons, a 29-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman, were wounded and treated in stable condition.

On July 29, 2021, authorities announced arrests in the case: 33-year-old Todd Drayton was charged with murder and assault as the alleged gunman, and 28-year-old Tyler Burgos was charged with weapons possession for allegedly supplying the firearm. Corniel was remembered as a hardworking construction worker, a husband and father to a young son.

Did anyone who was at Floridita that night or who knew Edy come forward with observations that could help explain how the confrontation escalated?