The Bright Light of New York City
Abrahan Jose Bello Daza saw a new beginning in New York. After surviving an arduous journey from South America where he and his brothers were kidnapped and robbed, this Venezuelan migrant, 29, brimmed with optimism. Sadly, his life was abruptly ended by a stray bullet on an East Harlem street, while walking with his brothers.
The Ineffable Shock of Loss
“Why?” wondered Angelo Jesus Daza, Abrahan Jose’s brother, in an interview. This question has been haunting the brothers ever since. They had survived so much together, only to lose one of their own in the city they had worked so hard to reach.
The Tragic Incident
The fateful incident occurred on June 7, near E. 102nd St. and First Ave. They heard a shot while walking. Both Angelo Jesus and Ruben Dario, the remaining brothers, threw themselves to the ground. Looking back, they saw Abrahan Jose, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. Despite their panicked call to 911, the shooters were gone before the police arrived.
The Endless Wait in Despair
Abrahan Jose was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell, where doctors quickly determined he would not recover. A two-week life support period commenced, allowing his mother in Argentina to obtain an emergency visa to bid him farewell. Unfortunately, her visa request was twice denied, and he died unable to witness his mother’s loving face one last time.
The Sparkling Jovial Days in New York
Arriving in New York was a dream come true for the brothers. Especially for Abrahan Jose, who found wonder in the city’s skyline and loved Times Square. Their American journey, filled with getting work papers, finding jobs, and taking pride in buying a phone or a subway pass, embodied a shared dream of a thriving life.
The Grim Journey to the American Dream
Leaving their hometown in Venezuela in search of better opportunities was a decision made out of desperation. Jobs were scarce, medical supplies dwindled, and life grew increasingly difficult in their homeland. The brothers set out on a treacherous journey filled with kidnappings, robberies, and near-death experiences, only to lose one of their own to senseless violence in the city they thought would bring redemption.
The Scarring Memory of the Incident
The evening of the shooting had started on a positive note. They had enjoyed a barbecue at Randalls Island with a friend, and were cheerfully talking about future plans on their way back. Suddenly, three or four shots unexpectedly rang through the streets, painted a night to remember in blood and terror.
The Dreads for the Mother
Abrahan Jose’s passing was a two-week long struggle, where his mother tried desperately to get an emergency visa. The denial of the application to visit her dying son added salt to her agony. Her profound grief poured out on social media, where she expressed the heart-wrenching pain of losing her son and being unable to bid him farewell.
Search for Justice
A sequence of events, starting with a neighborhood feud in 2022, led to the fatal shootout that claimed Abrahan Jose’s life. Even though one involved gunman died in a shootout in New Jersey, the other shooter, the one potentially responsible for Abrahan Jose’s death, remains unidentified and at large.
Uncertainty Looms Over the Remaining Brothers
With their stability shaken, the surviving brothers find themselves in a city that once promised dreams but now only offers a painful reminder of their loss. As they grapple with a tragically uncertain future, they strive to keep the spirit of their brother alive by fulfilling his unrealized dreams. For them, New York City continues to be a blend of promise and heartbreak, a city where dreams are both made and broken.