February 24, 2026 NEW YORK, NY The heart of Manhattan is no stranger to the grit of the city, but what unfolded at the corner of 39th Street and 8th Avenue on February 12th wasn't just another statistic. It was a cold-blooded execution in broad daylight, witnessed by unsuspecting New Yorkers just looking for a morning coffee.

A Door Held Open, A Life Shut Down

Mark Jackson, 43, was a fixture at the 589 8th Avenue 7-Eleven. Known to locals for holding the door and panhandling, he was a man living on the margins but woven into the fabric of the block.

At 10:25 a.m., that routine turned into a nightmare. According to police sources, a heated argument erupted between Jackson and an unidentified man. Within seconds, the dispute escalated from words to gunfire inside the convenience store.

“I was inside for two seconds. I looked down. I heard an argument happening... then the shooting. I just turned and ran,” said one anonymous witness.

The Face of a Killer

Detectives have now released haunting surveillance images of the man they believe pulled the trigger. The suspect was captured on camera looking eerily calm as he paced a subway car shortly after the slaying.

The NYPD is searching for a male suspect last seen wearing:

• A black sweater

• Distinctive multicolored pants

• Gray shoes

• A face mask and backpack

After the shooting, the gunman didn't just disappear; he melted into the city’s veins. He was tracked entering the 50th Street subway station, where he caught a northbound C train to make his escape.

A Neighborhood on Edge

While the area near the Port Authority Bus Terminal has seen "quality of life" improvements recently, this brazen act of violence has reopened old wounds for local workers.

"I’m not surprised at all," says Thomas Lane, a local concierge who has seen the neighborhood's darkest days. From open drug use to the grim realities of the homelessness crisis, Lane notes that while the area had been trending upward, "stuff" like this proves how fragile that peace really is.

Can You Identify This Man?

Mark Jackson’s body lay inside that 7-Eleven for hours while investigators combed the scene. Now, the hunt is on to ensure his killer doesn't stay on the streets.

If you recognize the man in these photos or have any information, do not approach him. Contact the authorities immediately:

• Crime Stoppers: 800-577-TIPS

• Spanish Line: 888-57-PISTA

• Online: crimestoppers.nypdonline.org

• X (Twitter): @NYPDTips

All tips are strictly confidential.