21-Year-Old Killed While Attempting to Save Uncle During Armed Robbery

A 21-year-old man is dead after he tried to help his uncle during an armed robbery in Garland Friday evening. 

The terrifying ambush was captured on the family's home surveillance system.

It shows four people, dressed in all black with their faces concealed, approaching the two men in the driveway as they returned home from work. 

"It's a horrible act from start to finish and that's why it's important to us to make sure we can identify these suspects so we can get them off the streets," said Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barineau.

The victim, Misael Alexis Romero, came to the United States escaping violence in his native El Salvador.

He had recently been granted asylum in the U.S., according to his aunt.

His family is in disbelief his life ended the way it did in this country.

Officers responded to a report of a man shot on the 500 block of Cedar Drive in Garland at about 8:30 on Friday evening.

When they arrived they found a 21-year-old Hispanic male suffering from a gunshot wound and his uncle at the scene.

The Romero was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injury.

The victim's aunt Milagros Molina says she loved him like a son.

"He was a hard worker, humble. He helped his mom in El Salvador," she said.

The victim’uncle told police that they had just arrived home when they were approached by four men who demanded money from them.

One of the men had a handgun while another had a rifle. During the encounter, a struggle ensued between the uncle and one of the men.

His 21-year-old nephew attempted to help when he was shot in the torso.

All four men fled the scene. 

"We don't know for certain if this was a random hit or an actual targeted hit," said Barineau.

Detectives are not yet saying if they believe the men took off on foot or left in a vehicle.

Randy Wilkerson lives nearby and heard the four gunshots Friday evening.

He came out and saw the victim sitting in a chair surrounded by his family.

"They're a hard working people and that's the reason they were robbed because they were hard working people," he said.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have information on this incident to contact Garland Police at 972-485-4840.

Crimstoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.