Suspect In Custody In December 'Gesture Of Peace' Murder
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- The accused killer of a Bronx teenager is finally behind bars in New York City, and the victim's mother said she is hoping the arrest will help her gain closure.
Her teenaged child was murdered after making a gesture of peace.
"He didn't only take my son's life, but he took my life also," Joann Soto told CBS 2's Derricke Dennis.
Soto, through her tears, spoke Friday out about her son's suspected killer, 18-year-old Jimmy Delgado. Delgado remains in police custody, facing a murder charge in the shooting death of Londell Byrd.
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Soto said her son was her hero.
"[He was] a student, getting ready for college," Soto said. "He already had his future planned, and everything was just eliminated."
On Dec. 4, Byrd had gotten into a street fight with Delgado, and apparently won. It became a big deal in the neighborhood, as Delgado was known, police said, as an area tough guy.
Delgado is accused of coming back for Byrd the day after the fight, under the guise of wanting to make peace.
"That's why my son just went, to make peace, and then this tragedy happened," Soto said.
Byrd extended his hand, and Delgado allegedly shot and killed him instead. Now, after more than a month on the run, Delgado was captured in Florida and brought back to the Bronx, where he is a tough guy no more.
"My worst fear was that they wouldn't find him, and I would never have closure," Soto said.
Delgado appeared at the 43rd Precinct, where Byrd's family gathered to witness the suspect's arrest.
Byrd's family got no answers to their questions on Friday, and justice will have to wait until Delgado faces trial for the murder.
Soto said that would at least be some form of closure for a mother in so much pain.
"I just don't know what else to say – he took my life, too," she said.
