Shopper stabbed to death by man who 'refused to thank him' for holding door open

A man was stabbed to death after complaining to a fellow customer who failed to say 'thank you' when he held the door open for him.

The 37-year-old was stabbed outside a Brooklyn smoke shop as a violent crime wave continues to sweep New York City.

The stabbing occurred around 10.20pm on Tuesday after the victim, who has not been named, held the door open for a fellow customer walking into the 4th Ave Tobacco Road Corp in Gowanus.

The victim is said to have then asked the suspect why he did not say thank you and became angry.

An argument then erupted outside, as the victim punched the suspect who was trying to leave.

The victim and suspect began arguing about the door being held open (ABC7)

The victim was then fatally stabbed in the neck and abdomen.

He then fell back into the shop entrance bleeding heavily and according to shop employee Kharef Alsaidi, he screamed: "He stabbed me, he stabbed me."

The victim was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead.

The argument spilled into the street outside the shop (ABC7)

Speaking to ABC7, Alsaidi said: "It was just about not saying 'thank you' for opening the door for him."

He said the victim asked: "Why don't you say, Thank you for opening the door?"

The employee said he had tried to deescalate the problem and get the suspect to put the knife away but it did not work.

Police are currently searching for the suspect.