NYC Man Fatally Shot By Robbers While Out Celebrating Birthday [Video]
KEY POINTS
- The Bronx man, 32, was fatally shot in the chest after robbers took his 18-karat gold chain
- Another victim was shot in the buttocks and was taken to a hospital in stable condition
- Authorities are offering a reward of up to $3,500 for any tips that can lead to an arrest
A 32-year-old man was fatally shot by a group of robbers in New York City while he was out celebrating his birthday with friends over the weekend.
Jonathan Peña, of the Bronx, and an unnamed 46-year-old man were outside Maribella Restaurant on Macombs Road near Inwood Avenue in Mount Eden Saturday afternoon when three men approached them with guns drawn, CBS 2 reported.
The robbers pushed the two victims against the storefront and took Peña's 18-karat gold chain from his neck, footage of the incident released by the New York City Police Department's Crime Stoppers Division showed.
🚨WANTED🚨for a Homicide in front of 1460 Macombs Road #mounteden #bronx On 11/13/21 @ 4:50 PM Reward up to $3500 Seen them? Know who they are? Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us! Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #yourcityyourcall pic.twitter.com/tmHAUbijat
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) November 15, 2021
The necklace was given to Peña four years ago by his live-in girlfriend, Zayerelin Figueroa, a report by the New York Daily News said.
"He had wanted that chain for so many years," Figueroa, 35, was quoted as saying by the Daily News.
"He would wear it all the time, never take it off," added Jaylien Peña, the couple's 14-year-old daughter.
The robbers opened fire at Peña and his friend when the two victims attempted to escape. Peña was shot in the chest and his friend was hit in the buttocks, the video of the encounter showed.
The older victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition.
Peña was brought via a private car to BronxCare Health System, where he died.
Peña observed his 32nd birthday just days prior to his death, as per CBS 2.
"He went to go celebrate with friends, you know what people would normally do. You know, people living life," his daughter said.
Peña, who worked for a moving company and was described as the life of the party, is survived by Figueroa and their two daughters, Jaylien and the teen’s 8-year-old sister.
Mourners offered candles, pictures and condolences in a makeshift memorial to pay their respects.
Figueroa, who cried so much after learning of Peña's death that she had to be hospitalized for dehydration, is now trying to raise $10,000 to pay for his funeral.
"The little one is asking, 'When is daddy coming home?'" Figueroa said. "We're gonna need help, to be honest with you. It's a very tough moment for us."
New York City police are seeking help in identifying the three gunmen, who were last seen driving away in a black Mercedes-Benz. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $3,500 for any tips that can lead to an arrest.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782. Tips can also be sent to the NYPDTips Twitter account or submitted online at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.
![police-631591_1920](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/3338779/police-631591-1920.jpg?w=736&f=c1d0d1813722c5d946d24142c66a6d93)