A 41-year-old truck driver was found shot in the stomach on the Washington Bridge, which connects Manhattan's Washington Heights to the Bronx, late Wednesday in what appears to be a case that has thus far mystified authorities, according to two NYPD officials with direct knowledge of the case and other law enforcement authorities.
Detectives are investigating whether road rage may have played a role, among many other factors, as part of their probe.
According to the preliminary investigation, the driver of the pickup truck — identified as Eduardo Bonilla, but better known as Chino — apparently was shot at the Washington Bridge ramp by 181st Street and Amsterdam Avenue around 10:45 p.m. His vehicle then moved to the Bronx section of the Cross Bronx Expressway entrance ramp, where it crashed into multiple sand barrels and stopped, according to the two NYPD officials.
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It wasn't until Bonilla was being treated in an ambulance en route to a hospital that emergency crews discovered the single gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later.
Five shell casings were recovered on the Manhattan side of the bridge, the two NYPD officials said.
Surveillance footage obtained by authorities shows the cherry-red Chevrolet pickup truck, with New Jersey plates, crossing over the bridge from Manhattan toward the Bronx around 10:40 p.m. A dark sedan is seen traveling directly behind it, then pulls along the truck's passenger side just prior to the spot where the shell casings were later recovered, the NYPD officials said.
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Law enforcement sources said Bonilla, who managed an autobody repair shop in the Bronx, was shot through the passenger window of his pick-up truck.
It's not clear who was behind the wheel of the sedan. But the senior NYPD officials say another man, whom police interviewed, reported having been with Bonilla a bit earlier that night. That man told authorities he and Bonilla traveled together in the pickup from the Bronx into Manhattan around 10:30 p.m., and went to a spot on 174th Street for a time.
Eventually, the witness said they got back in the truck and started driving away, but Bonilla was talking to someone on the phone and got upset. He told the witness he was leaving to go home, according to NYPD officials.
The witness said he also decided to head home and got in a vehicle with his wife, but followed his friend because he had been driving fast and erratically, according to the NYPD officials. The witness reported coming up behind the truck after the sand barrel crash but said he didn't see or hear any gunshots fired at the truck.
Social media video posted hours before his death shows Chino smiling and laughing with friends. Those who knew Bonilla said they can't imagine why anyone would want to harm the man they said was loving and cared for everyone.
"He put everyone before himself. He just helped everyone. He was just so happy. Never any problems. I don’t understand why this happened," said friend Liz Mary.
A vigil is planned for Thursday evening, as friends urge anyone with information to come forward.
"If you saw something just please say something, he didn’t deserve this, he didn’t deserve to go out like this," said another friend, Eric Marte. "A drive out in the city should not end in death for anyone."
Authorities said Bonilla had a 20-year history with the NYPD, though it's not clear if that factored into the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
