Family Makes Emotional Plea After Loved One Killed For $1.25
HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – A South Florida family mourning the loss of a loved one who was killed over $1.25 has made a desperate plea for help.
The family of Hector Vichot begged for justice during a news conference on Tuesday and urged the public to help police find the robbers who shot and killed their loved one.
"He was only walking to work and somebody tried to play God and decide who lives and who dies," said Hector's brother Pedro Vichot.
Overcome with emotion, Pedro Vichot shared how his only brother's life was taken during an attempted armed robbery.
"My family is devastated," he said.
Hector Vichot had $1.25 in his back pocket when he was gunned down while walking to his nightshift job on Dec. 16 at Wal-Mart located at 5851 NW 177th St. in Hialeah.
Vichot, 53, lived long enough to tell police how two young men had come upon him along a dark stretch of road looking for a quick steal, and shot him in the back.
"He don't understand too much English," said Pedro. "The only thing he understood was something about money."
Police said Vichot sensed he was in danger and decided to run away. That's when he was shot in the back three times. They never even took his wallet.
Hector's family and investigators are pleading for help from the public in solving this senseless crime.
"We really need help with… remember....this time it's my family, next time it could be yours," said Pedro.
On that dark evening, police said Hector walked to work which is something he normally didn't do.
His family said his motorcycle was broken down and a colleague was supposed to pick him up for his shift but couldn't take him that night. That's when Hector decided to walk the seven or so blocks to the 24-hour mega store.
"The suffering is something you cannot erase from inside," said Pedro.
Hector came to the U.S. from Cuba in 1995.
He's survived by a son, daughter and grandchild in Cuba.
"My brother was a very good father, very good son, very good brother," said Pedro.
Miami-Dade Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (6160).
