BROOKLYN — A father of three was shot to death on a Bedford-Stuyvesant street Saturday night, police said.
The next day, the family of Guy Simpson, 26, was left picking up the pieces and trying to make sense of what had happened.
According to police, Simpson was shot several times in front of a Decatur Street building near Patchen Avenue at 8:52 p.m.
His wife, Brenda Simpson, 29, was too upset to talk, but his father-in-law said he left behind three children, Maikah, 7, Khamar, 2, and Nyla, 2.
"He was a loving and dedicated father," said Fred McClendon, 49. "He didn't deserve to die like this. If anyone knows anything about what happened last night please come forward," he asked reporters outside Simpson's residence.
He also sent an invitation for friends of his son-in-law to attend a candlelight vigil that will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. at the site of the shooting, at 451 Decatur St.
"If anyone knew and loved my son-in-law please come and light a candle in his honor," he said. "It will be greatly appreciated."
Ismael Williams, 25, said he grew up with Simpson and had known him for more than 20 years. The shooting took place right near his home.
"I heard gun shots just before 11 p.m.," he said. "I looked out of the window, and saw his legs sticking out of the car. I ran down, and saw he was slumped over in the passenger seat and he was bleeding real bad from his chest," said Williams.
"Everyone was screaming to call 911," he said. Williams said he and another man pulled Simpson out of the car, he tried CPR, which seemed to work briefly.
Simpson was rushed to Interfaith Hospital, but pronounced dead upon arrival, police said.
"I'm going to miss him real bad. He was a good man and a great father to his kids," said Williams.