Elderly Man Fatally Shot in New York City Street
Early Sunday morning, tragedy struck on a New York City street as an elderly man, Marcelino Valerio, 80, was shot dead in front of his wife. The assailant, concealed in a black ski mask and all-black attire, was riding a bicycle.
The incident occurred around 1:10 a.m. near 1209 Ogden Ave. in the Highbridge neighborhood. Valerio and his wife had just stepped out of a car that had dropped them off near their home. Valerio, who resided about 10 blocks away, had been returning from a Sweet 16 party in New Rochelle, Westchester County.
The masked suspect approached Valerio on the sidewalk and fired two shots, with one of them hitting him at close range in the head. Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment, showing Valerio’s wife in shock while two other women from the car sought assistance from those nearby.
Shortly before the shooting, the gunman had been seen on surveillance footage passing by the building in the opposite direction, later circling back when the car arrived. After the attack, the suspect fled the scene on the bicycle and remains at large as of Sunday night. The police have not disclosed any motive, if one exists, for this incident.
Marcelino Valerio was known as a hardworking and tranquil individual by the building superintendent of one of his former residences. Rafel De Leon, the superintendent, described him as a homebody who rarely ventured out. According to De Leon, Valerio was a remarkable person and had a wife and daughter.
The tragic event has left the community in shock and grieving for the loss of a beloved member. The investigation continues as authorities work to apprehend the suspect and uncover the circumstances behind this senseless act of violence.