Photo: Facebook
A New Jersey father was tragically shot and killed while attempting to save his children during an alleged carjacking last month, leading to the arrest of a juvenile this week.
Yoni Emanuel Cruz-Rodriguez, 27, was fatally shot on July 12 when a 17-year-old allegedly tried to drive away with his vehicle, which had his two children inside, according to reports FOX 29.
Authorities in Mercer County, N.J., reported that the 17-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday, July 29, and charged with multiple offenses, including murder.
On July 12, police responded to a call about an overturned car in Trenton, where they found Cruz-Rodriguez dead inside the vehicle. His two children, a 3-year-old boy, and a 2-month-old girl, were found unharmed in their car seats, as reported by The Trentonian and NJ 101.5, citing the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Cruz-Rodriguez, a native of Honduras, was identified in some American media reports as Yony Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez. However, a GoFundMe launched by his brother identifies him as Yoni Emanuel Cruz-Rodriguez, which matches how some Honduran media reports refer to him.
Witnesses told police that Cruz-Rodriguez was standing at the back of his car when the suspect allegedly jumped in and attempted to drive away. In a heroic effort to protect his children, Cruz-Rodriguez quickly climbed into the moving vehicle. The teen allegedly shot him multiple times, according to NBC Philadelphia and FOX 29.
The suspect then reportedly crashed the vehicle into two other cars, causing it to flip upside down, before fleeing the scene. Authorities found the two children inside the overturned car, strapped into their car seats and unharmed, as reported by FOX 29, The Trentonian, and NJ 101.5.
In a heartfelt message on the GoFundMe page, the victim’s brother stated that the family is raising funds to send Cruz-Rodriguez’s body back to Honduras for burial.
The juvenile suspect, whose name has not been released due to his age, is facing charges of felony murder, carjacking, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and weapons offenses, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and reports from The Trentonian, NJ 101.5, and NBC Philadelphia.
At this time, it is unclear whether the suspect has entered any pleas or retained an attorney to represent him. This tragic incident highlights the bravery and selflessness of Cruz-Rodriguez, who gave his life in an attempt to protect his children. His family and community now mourn the loss of a devoted father and hero.
