THE BRONX — A father was fatally stabbed inside the sixth-floor hallway of his Claremont apartment building Wednesday night, police said.
Willie Lopez, a 32-year-old construction worker with a 7-year-old daughter, was stabbed in the chest just after he walked inside 1521 Sheridan Ave., near Mt. Eden Parkway, around 10:34 p.m., NYPD officials said.
Lopez, who lived in the building, was pronounced dead at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, police said.
"He was too young. I don't know what to say. We need justice," said Lopez' sister, Edna Mariano, 40.
His sisters said Lopez liked to dance to Spanish music and joke around.
"He was a happy person. We're just trying to survive. It's hard for us right now, said his other sister, Jissi Blanco, 35.
Family and friends remembered him as a fun-loving man who adored his daughter.
"He cared about his daughter. He'd say, 'Man, I love my little girl.' He wanted to take her to Honduras where he was from," said friend David Fraser, 49.
"That boy was a very good guy. Willie was joy. He'd dance, laugh, entertain everyone. During the summers, we'd cook, eat and drink a beer," Fraser added.
Lopez was "a fixture of the community" often seen hanging out outside his home, friends said.
"Everybody knew him," said his super, Brett Boston, 51.
"He didn't deserve what happened to him," he added.
There were no immediate arrests, police said.
It wasn't clear what sparked the homicide.
