Brief
NYC subway shooting victim remembered as gym enthusiast and devoted son
Darrel Rodriguez, 26, was killed on the 53rd St/7th Ave platform on Oct. 17, 2026, and is remembered for his dedication to fitness and his father.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Darrel Rodriguez, 26, was shot and killed on the northbound E‑train platform at 53rd Street and 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, around 12:20 p.m., according to the New York Post.
What happened
Police say a masked gunman wearing a red tracksuit, black vest and facial covering opened fire after an argument with Rodriguez on the platform. The shooter fled the scene, and no arrests have been made as of Tuesday night. Authorities lack video evidence and the suspect’s identity remains unknown.
What the reports add
The Post reports that Rodriguez’s aunt, Ana Pichardo, said her nephew lived with his father, Tony, who suffered a stroke and has speech difficulties. He reportedly helped his father by picking up security‑guard shifts and had recently set up a home gym in his bedroom. Neighbour Maddy, who has known Rodriguez since childhood, described him as a quiet, decent young man who did not seek trouble.
What was said
"He was mainly with his father. He was crazy about his father," Pichardo told the Post at the Bronx apartment she shares with Tony. She added, "I think he was waiting for somebody. Chasing somebody," speculating about the shooter’s motive. The neighbour said, "His killer had to be a stranger, because everybody on the block loves him."
How it came about
Rodriguez’s dedication to fitness and family was highlighted in earlier coverage of his life, linking to Felo News’ recent reporting on community violence in New York City, such as the Bronx park shooting on Oct. 13, 2026. Both stories underscore ongoing concerns about public‑space safety in the city.
Key facts
- Darrel Rodriguez, 26, was shot on the 53rd St/7th Ave subway platform on Oct. 17, 2026. (nypost.com)
- The shooter was masked, wearing a red tracksuit and black vest, and fled the scene. (nypost.com)
- Rodriguez lived with his father, Tony, who had suffered a stroke. (nypost.com)
- No arrests have been made as of Oct. 22, 2026. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “NYC subway shooting victim remembered as a gym buff and a family man: ‘He was crazy about his father’”
