An aspiring rapper and his friend were both shot and killed early Sunday by a motorist who got out of his car and opened fire, and the suspect was captured on surveillance video, police say.
NYPD officers were called to the scene at Broadway and West 151st Street in Hamilton Heights shortly before 3 a.m., according to police.
They found Kenny Jiminez, 21, with a gunshot wound to the neck. Francisco Mercedez, 29, had been shot in the back.
The younger man was pronounced dead at the scene, while Mercedez was declared dead at Harlem Hospital.
Family and friends said that Mercedez had just come back from a concert in Connecticut, where he was promoting his latest album. He was hanging out with Jiminez when shots were fired.
Police released video of the scene show a single shooter walking past the men before turning his back and firing shots at the two men. The shooter then runs off.
Friends and family set up a memorial with candles near the site of the shooting Sunday. Dozens spent the night mourning their deaths at the sidewalk tribute.
"He didn't deserve this," said Saribel Merette, Jimenez's sister. "He was only 21."
Merette said she is heartbroken by the loss.
Mercedez's family said they were devastated to lose their relative, who was a musician.
"He's a very nice guy, very humble guy, very sweet, loving to the whole family," said Stacy Velez, Mercedez's cousin.
Local
Anyone with information on the shooter is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
