A Holy Week execution has devastated a city family. Last night around 8:00, 39 year old Rafael Guerra was shot and killed near his Holy Emmanuel Street home. He had lent a friend his bicycle pump and was only waiting to get it back when two men emerged from a van and shot Guerra. It has all appearances of a well calculated attack, but Guerra's family and friends refuse to believe that. Courtney Weatherburne found out why.
Voice of: Resident
"I was inside making tea at the time when I hear the gunshots them, instantly I went down on the ground with my baby, because it my 3 year old I had with me so I just grabbed him and went down on the ground, I say oh, get on the floor, get on the floor."
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
But 39 year old Rafael Guerra didn't have time to take cover, he was shot dead on the Gungulung Bridge, about 150 feet away from his home. Reports are that Guerra was waiting for his friend to finish using the bicycle pump when two men pulled up in a van and executed him.
Voice of: Jessica Acosta, Niece
"Apparently what happened his friend called him to borrow a pump and he was taking the pump for the dude and then right there the neighbors say that a white dollar van came out with 2 boys and they just started to shoot."
According to Guerra's niece, he was shot about 7 times and by the time she walked over to the scene, it was too late.
The family is now grappling with Guerra's death because they say he couldn't have been the target.
Voice of: Jessica Acosta, Niece
"Definitely it wasn't my uncle, my uncle didn't have any problem with anybody, he didn't. I can't even describe how my uncle was because he is never in trouble."
Guerra was also known in the community as a humble and straightforward working man.
Voice of: Resident
"I know the man a while since we lived back here now and he doesn't mess with anyone, just work, home , that all I see him do, work, home the farthest he goes without his bike is to the shop right there and back home."
So there are more questions than answers in this case. The family has their suspicions as to who they believe may be involved in Guerra's murder but police are still investigating. But one thing is certain, Guerra's killing has thrown the family back into the grips of sorrow, a feeling they are all too familiar with.
Voice of: Jessica Acosta, Niece
"13 years ago on this same day my grandfather got killed and it is just sad that it's like every Easter every Christmas something like this happen."
Guerra wasn't married and had no kids. He was a construction worker. Police have two persons in custody. We will keep following this case.
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