Family of Marcelino Valerio, 80, speak out after he's shot dead in the Bronx
NEW YORK - The family of Marcelino Valerio is speaking out after the 80-year-old was fatally shot Sunday morning in the Bronx.
Valerio and his wife had just arrived home after a family party when they say he was randomly shot in the head.
Police are still searching for the gunman.
Security video from Ogden Avenue shows a person wearing all black riding an electric bike head toward the couple, who were about to walk into their apartment.
The person on the bike opens fire, and takes off as panicked family members rush back and forth.
- Read More: NYPD investigating death of 80-year-old Marcelino Valerio, found shot in head in Highbridge
Less than a minute later, police - who were already on patrol in the area - ran over to the scene, but Valerio could not be saved. He had been shot in the head.
"We're in a lot of agony. It's devastating. Still in a lot of shock," Valerio's 33-year-old daughter said. She had just dropped her parents off, and witnessed everything from her car, along with her daughter. She said the shooter said nothing.
"For me, it was random. Maybe they were just looking for an innocent person. I have no idea. There wouldn't be anyone in the world who would ever want to do this to my father," she said. "He's never confrontational, always happy, caring. He loved to talk and get to know people."
Born in the Dominican Republic, she said her father had four children, helped raise her two step-brothers, and has multiple grandchildren.
Valerio and his wife have been together more than 30 years, and have lived on the block for more than a decade.
"We knew everyone from pharmacy to the supermarket, a couple neighbors here and there," his daughter said. "Never had any concerns about being here."
"He loved music, loves to fix things around the house," she added.
They were all returning home after 1 a.m. Sunday from a family party.
"It was a great night. He was very happy, my daughter and I were just saying he ate all of his food from his plate. He enjoyed his coffee, desserts and we were taking photos. He was very happy," she said.
He was even calling other family members to make sure they got into their homes safely, she said, never knowing he wouldn't make it inside.
Other security video showed the suspect riding around in the area prior to the shooting.
NYPD sources said it appears the suspect was waiting around, but they aren't sure why Valerio would be targeted.
HIs daughter had a message for the suspect.
"I don't know why you would do this. I just hope you can come forward and show yourself. This was not for my father. He did not deserve this at all," she said.
Police responded quickly because they were on stepped-up patrols in the area after three people were shot Thursday in the 44th Precinct.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
