Exclusive: Family Of Murdered Man Begs Public For Help To Find Killer
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POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami) – On July 11, Alex Eichmann sat in a parking spot at a Pompano Beach McDonald's restaurant.
Investigators with the Broward Sheriff's Office says Eichmann had spent some time at a casino and had likely visited the restaurant for a late night bite to eat.
What happened next devastated his family and led Broward Sheriff's detectives on a consuming hunt for a killer.
"He was such a good soul," said Eric Eichmann. "He had such a good heart."
Eric Eichmann says his brother Alex was a peacemaker – a man who loathed conflict and wanted everyone to get along.
He said that's what makes the end to his brother's life – in an apparent random act of violence in this McDonald's parking lot earlier this month – even more difficult to comprehend.
"I just feel like a stake went through my heart when they told us what happened to my younger brother," Eichmann told CBS4's Carey Codd.
BSO Det. John Curcio said Eichmann pulled into a McDonald's in the 600 block of Sample Road in his 2001 black Chevrolet Corvette around 4:15 that fateful morning.
Alex was a night owl who worked the night shift at Wal-Mart and had just left the Isle Casino when he went to McDonald's likely for something to eat.
BSO released a video to CBS4 News showing the car that investigators believe the suspects were in.
BSO said at least three people were inside the white four door sedan – possibly an Oldsmobile Alero.
Investigators said they believe two young black men confronted Eichmann in his car and robbed him or tried to rob him and then shot and killed him.
"He may have been targeted because of the time of day or night and the vehicle -- he was kind of by himself in that parking lot," Curcio said.
His brother said it's all too difficult to understand.
"There was no need to kill him and leave him there in his car," Eric said.
Eichmann's family is struggling with their pain. His mother is relying on her faith to get her through the worst grief any parent could endure.
"He was the most gentle and caring man in the world," said his mother, Ana. "I'm gonna miss him so much."
The Eichmanns cherish the memories of Alex's life and promise to do all they can to put his killer or killers in jail.
"Whoever did that doesn't have any soul," Ana Eichmann said.
"We'll never get my brother back," Eric Eichmann said. "Nobody, nobody can bring him back. But we want to live the rest of our lives and do the right thing – get justice for him and get that person whoever it was off the streets."
If you can help this family find some peace and help detectives get a critical clue, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493 TIPS. You can remain anonymous and you could be eligible for a $3,000 reward.