A 10-year-old New York City boy who was visiting his family lost his life during a barbecue after a shocking attack on Saturday. The suspect who opened fire on the family is being sought by the police.
How did it all happen?
The New York Daily News reported that Justin Wallace, who was about to turn 11 on Tuesday, was taken by his father on a special day at the beach with friends on Saturday. This was after a whole year of COVID-19 lockdowns. Unfortunately, the boy lost his life during the family gathering that took place that night.
The boy's cousin, 29-year-old Kyle Forrester, was also hurt, but the doctors expect him to survive, as The Blaze notes.
Albert Wallace, the grieving father, revealed to the news outlet that he thinks this tragic attack might be connected to an ongoing dispute between the homeowners and a neighbor over a driveway.
Earlier on that day, Forrester allegedly argued with the neighbor about parking space in the shared driveway.
The father said he was leaving when his sister asked him to look into a maintenance issue downstairs. Justin was upstairs waiting for him to be done, standing near the door of the house.
“That's when I turned back with my son. If I didn't turn back, my son would be alive today,” Albert Wallace said.
A few seconds later the suspect walked up to the house, shot towards it and then ran away. Justin was hurt and so was his cousin, according to ABC News.
“I see my son laid down at the door, curled up. And I'm saying, 'No no no’,’” Wallace told the Daily News.
The father rushed to the hospital immediately, but it was too late. “I tell the doctors, 'Go back in there, He's too young for that.’”
The New York City police is asking the public’s help to identify and capture the suspect who attacked the residence at 9:33 p.m. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to call 800-577-TIPS.