Brooklyn Man Shot Dead During Home Invasion In Ditmas Park
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Police are searching for for three suspects after a violent home invasion left a man dead in Ditmas Park.
The incident took place at 379 Rugby Road at around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Three men approached rang the doorbell of the home, sources told CBS 2. A 71-year-old woman answered the door and the trio forced their way inside, demanded money and tied her up, sources said.
The woman's 69-year-old brother, Leonard Phillps, who was inside the home, heard the commotion and tried to intervene. He was then shot in the head, sources said.
He was rushed to Kings County Hospital in critical condition but died a short time later.
"I saw this detective putting this old lady from the house, putting her in the car. I don't know what happened to her but she was crying," one witness told CBS 2's Steve Langford.
The community was badly shaken up to hear of Phillips' death, a man many spoke fondly of.
"It makes you think about letting your kids walk on their own, or even you," one neighbor said.
Seeta Rasack's family has lived in the neighborhood for decades.
"They're very decent people. You know, they're very quiet," she told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman.
As investigators scoured the scene for clues about he suspects, PS-139 right across the street let its elementary students out on time after a tense few hours.
Mother Nora Megaley was relieved to pick up her fourth grader after she was alerted by the school.
"The school says the minute when they sent the message, they say everything was OK, the kids are safe," she said.
With the suspects still on the loose, most neighbors don't share the same sense of security.
"I'm scared. I mean I always feel so safe," Barb Citerman said.
"I'm so scared. I was just telling my daughter that know we're going to have to make sure we double all the locks on the door," another neighbor said.
Police have only a vague description of the suspects, but say they believe all three men are in their 20s.
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