Raefe Akhbar, known as Aliakbar--an Iranian man--allegedly killed several bandmates from the The Yellow Dogs in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, overnight. Those who were killed were identified as Soroush Farazmand, Arash Farazmand, and Ali Eskandarian.
It was earlier reported that he was a member of the band, but a publicist for the The Yellow Dogs said that he was never a member of the band, according to BuzzFeed News.
According to the Metro’s New York office and the New York Post, Aliakbar then turned the gun on himself in East Williamsburg.
A source told the New York Daily News that the suspect was found dead on the roof after dying of a .308-caliber rifle gunshot wound.
The paper reported that he was apparently angry because his bandmates kicked him out. Police told the Metro that they found out that he was selling off band members’ equipment.
“He said something like ‘Why did you bring me over here [from Iran] and then throw me out?’” a source told the Post, referring to an encounter he had with other members of the band before the slaying.
Officials said that he fired a number of rounds inside at building in 318 Maujer St., killing his ex-bandmates.
Neighbors in Williamsburg said they were stunned.
“You always see them coming in and out of their house with their musical instruments in cases. They seemed like great kids, never bothered anybody,” metal worker Martin Greenman, 63, told the Post.
“They resembled each other with the curly black hair and the tight jeans. They looked like typical hipsters.”
Farazmand, 27, was found dead in a second-floor bedroom with a chest wound, while Farazmand was found dead on the third floor with a head wound, and Ali Eskandarian was found dead on the third flood with a head wound.
Sasan Sadeghpouroskou, 22, was the only survivor of the attack.
“A male shot three victims, killing them,” a police spokesman told AFP. “It also appears that the shooter killed himself on the roof of that location.”
The Yellow Dogs were an indie rock band that formed several years ago in Tehran, Iran, but moved to Booklyn.
On the band’s Facebook page, there was an outpouring of support.
“Thanks for all the great music. Your work will always live,” wrote one user.
Another added: “What the hell! I’m still in shock. Can’t wrap my head around this tragedy.”
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