Young Father Slain Near Irving Park Home While Walking To Work
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A young father walking to work early Friday was shot dead less than a block from his home in the Irving Park neighborhood.
Manuel Arizaga, 34, lived on the 3600 block of North Saint Louis Avenue with his wife and 1-year-old daughter.
He was walking to work around 4:30 a.m. Friday, when he was gunned down in an alley at Waveland and Drake avenues.
Police said Arizaga's brother found his body at the mouth of the alley. He had been shot in the head and buttocks. He still had his wallet when he was found, and the backpack he was carrying was still at the scene.
Some of his family members gathered in the alley Friday morning to pray at the spot where he drew his last breath.
"I'm shocked right now. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say. It's very sad for me," his cousin, Julio, said.
Arizaga worked for years at a downtown hotel, regularly sending money to Ecuador, where at least a half dozen relatives depended on his income. About a year ago, he began moving furniture, and typically would go to work with a cousin, but Friday morning he went alone.
"My mom is crying. She can't believe that this happened. I don't know what to do," Julio said. "I believe in God, and I believe he is where he has to be."
Arizaga's wife was not told about the shooting until about 10 a.m., and she told her brother she thought he had been at work the whole time. Upon learning the truth, she dissolved into tears.
Some local residents said they've never had any crime worse than minor thefts in the area.
"Everybody's concerned, because it's happened so close, and we never had this before, especially around here," Julia Suarez said. "Sometimes they broke into cars, but usually it's kind of quiet."
Police said there is no evidence Arizaga was involved in a gang.
No one was in custody Friday morning.
