A Bronx man died 37 years after a stray bullet left him half paralyzed. Modesto Rodriguez Guzman was hit after he and his wife stepped into a shootout on the streets of Washington Heights in 1980. They had traveled from their Brooklyn home to visit a friend in upper Manhattan, according to the New York Post.
Guzman’s 83-year-old mother discovered his body in the Bronx apartment where she had cared for him for the last 37 years. At 4 p.m. on July 30 she found his body lying lifeless. “Thirty years of taking care of him. I am trying to stay strong,” said Eneida Rodriguez, Guzman’s mother.
The family didn’t push for an investigation at the time, but now hopes Guzman’s story might encourage someone to come forward. “We hope this story helps bring justice,” said Guzman’s sister.
Before the shooting Guzman was a professional musician. During the course of 30 surgeries he regained the ability to play music, but not the ability to walk.