NEW YORK — Darrel Rodríguez, a 26-year-old Dominican security guard, died after being shot in the chest while returning to his home in the Bronx after finishing his shift in Manhattan.
The attack took place Saturday at about 12:20 p.m. at the subway station at Seventh Avenue and 53rd Street. Emergency responders tried to revive him on the platform before taking him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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According to police information, Rodríguez argued with the suspected shooter and another person on the northbound E train platform. During the confrontation, one of them pulled a gun and shot him. Police said the attack appeared to have been directed at Rodríguez, but have not publicly established whether he knew the assailant or what led to the argument.
As of Monday, the suspect remained at large. Surveillance images showed him wearing a red tracksuit, a black padded vest and a dark face covering. Authorities consider him armed and dangerous.
The young man’s death brought grief to University Heights residents, where he lived with his father. Neighbors described him as quiet, respectful and devoted to his job. Maddy, a 46-year-old neighbor, told the New York Post she had known Rodríguez and his twin brother since they were babies and said he was well liked and avoided trouble. Barber Willie Suzana, whose shop is across from Rodríguez’s building, said he had known him since childhood and often saw him leave for overnight security work.
His twin brother, Derick, who lives in Texas, told The New York Times he became worried when a message he sent did not go through. After trying to locate him through police agencies and contacting their father, he learned that Darrel had died.
Local media cited police statistics showing this was the seventh homicide in the city’s public transportation system this year. Michael Kemper, head of safety for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said the agency is working with police to locate the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
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