Family Makes Emotional Plea After Miami Man Is Shot & Killed
MIAMI (CBS4) - Gilberto and Raul Peralta are strong, stoic men. But the murder of their nephew Ismael Cruz Portillo has them shedding tears.
"The person who did this can't imagine the harm he as caused," cried Gilberto Peralta.
The men spoke to the media at Miami Police Headquarters Monday afternoon.
Cruz Portilla was on his way to the bus stop to head to work at the Palms Hotel on Miami Beach around 4:30 Sunday morning when he was attacked near Northwest 41st Street and 12th Avenue in Miami.
Police think it may have been a robbery attempt that failed. His attackers shot him multiple times.
"We believe he tried to run for his life because he was shot at least once in the back," said Det. Confesor Gonzalez.
Cruz Portilla's family believes the attackers ran out of time during the robbery; one of them may have even left a bicycle behind on the scene. Investigators say Cruz has a wife and five children in his home country of Honduras.
"He would get up at four o' clock in the morning, walk a quarter mile to catch the bus to work, that was his routine. No criminal history, hard working young man. He would send money back to his family in Honduras," said Detective Gonzalez.
"He was such a humble person, he never had a problem with anyone. It's so unfair what happened to him. To the person who did this please turn yourself in," pleaded Gilberto Peralta.
If you saw anything, or know anything that can help bring the killer to justice, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
