A 60-year-old Brooklyn man was arrested on weapons charges after fatally shooting a 52-year-old rival during a confrontation over a debt, law enforcement sources said Monday. Authorities indicated the shooting occurred in self-defense, but the suspect was still held accountable for carrying an illegal firearm.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. Friday on Lenox Road near Nostrand Avenue, when James Stokes, who resided in Brownsville, approached Robert Chan to demand repayment of a debt, according to sources familiar with the case. The discussion escalated into a physical altercation inside a building vestibule, during which Stokes reportedly struck Chan with a pistol.
Following the assault, the two men struggled over Stokes’ revolver. Chan ultimately gained control of the weapon and fired multiple times, striking Stokes in the body and face. It remains unclear if the shots were fired using Stokes’ gun or another firearm in Chan’s possession.
Surveillance footage captured part of the encounter, and a 76-year-old tenant of the building witnessed the incident. The tenant recounted hearing a gunshot, then seeing Stokes stumble out of the building and collapse on the street. Chan exited shortly afterward and remained near Stokes as he bled.
Chan was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Sunday and is being held on $300,000 bond. He faces no charges related to homicide but was charged with weapon possession due to the illegal gun. Court records show Chan had a prior conviction for criminal mischief in Queens in 2023.
Stokes had an extensive criminal history; at the time of his death, he was out on bail following a felony assault charge related to a violent altercation in Brooklyn earlier this year. According to court documents, Stokes was accused of attacking a man with a metal pipe during a dispute stemming from a romantic rivalry, causing serious injuries including a fractured shoulder. Stokes was scheduled to appear in court on July 6 regarding those charges.
Neither Chan’s nor Stokes’ attorneys responded to requests for comment on the case. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.