By Ivan Pereira
Brione Schneider, 32, of Inwood Street, was shot in the back a block away from the club Stereo, located at 512 W. 29th St., after getting into a fight with an unidentified patron on Jan 9. shortly before 4 a.m., according to police. Schneider, who was at the club with his brother, according to investigators, was rushed to St. Vincent's Medical Center and pronounced dead nearly an hour later.
Police did not release a description of the shooter and were looking at surveillance cameras from the club to get more information. The investigation was ongoing, police said Friday.
Stereo has been closed several times since 2006, when the NYPD began cracking down on illegal activities in Chelsea nightclubs. The club was shut down in August after police found evidence of narcotics sales and underage drinking, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne said.
It was allowed to reopen in December under the stipulation that it hire an outside security company and install new ID verification machines, Brown said.
Owners of the club, which opened in 2005, released a statement stating the argument that allegedly led to the murder did not originate at the club.
“At Stereo, the security and safety of our patrons is our most paramount concern and Stereo maintains a tightly controlled, safe club environment with highly experienced security and close monitoring of our clientele,” the statement said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
