Robbers Accost Young Father Behind Lawncrest Home, Kill Him: Police

A young father died after police say two robbers shot him at point-blank range behind his Philadelphia home late Sunday night.

Johnny Quezada, a 28-year-old father, was shot and killed just steps from his own home. Family and friends want to know who killed him and why. NBC10’s Tim Furlong has the latest.

The 28-year-old victim, identified to NBC10 by a relative as Johnny Quezada, just arrived home from shopping and was on his way into the back of his house on F Street near Roosevelt Boulevard, in Lawncrest, when police say two men -- at least one of whom was armed -- approached him and announced a robbery. Police recovered surveillance video that sources say appears to show the suspects stalking the victim prior to the shooting.

Johnny Quezada was gunned down Sunday night outside his Lawncrest home after returning from a movie with his family. The search for his killer continued Tuesday.

One of the robbers then opened fire on Quezada, wounding him several times throughout his chest, torso, arm and leg, according to Chief Inspector Scott Small. At least four shots were fired at the victim at point-blank range, Small said.

Family members of 28-year-old Johnny Quezada, who police say was shot and killed during a robbery outside his home in Lawncrest Sunday night, are devastated by his death. Quezada was a husband and father to a 1-year-old boy, and would send money back to the Dominican Republic to support his mom. NBC10’s Pamela Osborne spoke to his family.

Quezada's wife and 1-year-old son were inside the home at the time of the shooting. His wife heard the gunfire outside the house, Quezada's sister-in-law said.

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Small said as police took the badly injured man to a nearby hospital, he managed to tell them what happened.

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small describes details of a robbery and shooting that left a young man dead in Lawncrest Sunday night.

"While en route, he was in and out of consciousness, he was able to tell officers he just got home from shopping," Small said. "He was behind his property, about to enter, when two males approached, announced a robbery."

Quezada later succumbed to his injuries.

Small said police believe Quezada had also been armed at the time, but police weren't sure whether he had a chance to reach for his own handgun to defend himself before his attackers shot him. The robbers stole his gun, Small said, but left behind one live round and its loaded clip.

Quezada was a hardworking man, his sister-in-law told NBC10's Pamela Osborne. He worked as a barber at Aguilla Barbershop and often sent money home to his family back in the Dominican Republic.

"He was very dedicated," said Junior, a friend of Quezada's. "Just like he was dedicated to his family, he was dedicated to his customers. Everyone is suffering."

Small said investigators were interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses in hopes of identifying the killers. He said the only description police had late Sunday was of two men wearing dark-colored clothes who were last seen running down the driveway behind the 5100 block of F Street, near the Boulevard.

Police don't believe the robbery and shooting were random though an exact motive is unclear.

Tipsters should contact detectives at 215-686-3334.

A pair of armed robbers are at large in Philadelphia Monday after police say they shot and killed a young father who had just arrived home Sunday night.