Ladyville Businessman Shot Dead During Robbery
A well-known businessman from Ladyville was brutally shot and killed on Monday night in a robbery that turned deadly. It is second murder in that community in the past nine days. Now, Orin Velasquez is described as a pillar of the community and there has been an outpouring of grief as residents come to terms with the senseless murder. After seven o’clock on Monday night, Velasquez was closing his shop, Breda O’s Pizza located on Perez Road, when he came under attack. Robbers seemingly waylaid him from behind the pizzeria and pounced. Velasquez was along with his son when he was shot. He was rushed to the hospital, but succumbed. The robbers fled with the cash, some two hundred dollars. Here is News Five’s Hipolito Novelo with a report.
Micah Goodin, Nephew of Deceased
I think it is just senseless. He was a good man. He was a good father. He was a positive member of the community.”
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
Shockwaves ran throughout Ladyville on Monday night as thirty-eight-year-old Orin Velasquez was shot dead during a robbery at his business, Breda O’s Pizza on Perez Road.
Monique Alarcon, Sister-in-law of Deceased
“I am like this cannot be happening. This cannot be happening. Up to now I still in shock. Can’t believe that this happen.”
…and what happened is that after seven o’clock that night, the robbers, believed to be two, gained access to the residence through the rear fence. Velasquez and his son were closing when the armed assailants pounced. A struggle ensued and in the process, Velasquez was shot as many as seven times. His son escaped unhurt and the thieves ran from the scene with about two hundred dollars, proceeds from the day’s sale.
Micah Goodin
“From what we have gathered he and his were just about closing the shop when two persons scaled the fence and the rest is history.”
Reporter
“Did they manage to get away with any money or did they take his life senselessly?”
Micah Goodin
“They managed to get away with proceeds from the day sale. They want to kill both my uncle and his son but by my uncle put up a fight and that is how my cousin was able to escape or it would have been a double murder last night.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you know if he had a large amount of money in there?”
Micah Goodin
“Less than two hundred dollars from the day’s sale. Less than two hundred dollars.”
Velasquez was rushed to the K.H.M.H. where he was pronounced dead minutes after. His killers had no mercy. Velasquez was a prominent member of the Ladyville Community. He started his pizza business about five years ago and was described as a giving man. It might have been his generous personality that attracted the thieves.
Monique Alarcon
“I also worked with my brother in law in the shop. When people come here, don’t have any money or shot, Mon give it to them. You know, give it to them. We are not watching in return. We don’t even care if they don’t bring back any money. Every mouth shall be fed.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you believe that he was targeting because he was such a giving person that persons thought that he had a lot of money?”
“Well you know he was a business man so, he must be targeted.”
….and now the family wants justice. They want anyone with information to come forward and assist investigators.
Monique Alarcon
“I just want justice for my brother in law. I just want justice for he. He used to help everyone. He was a good father. He is good husband to my sister. I don’t know why somebody took his life. He always helped the youths in Ladyville. All we want is justice. We are being strong for my sister and nephew. We are being strong. Anybody who knows anything please just come forward.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.