Wake Held For Victim Of Shooting At Old Bridge Pathmark

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- It was a difficult night for a New Jersey community as a wake was held for one of the victims of last week's deadly shooting at a supermarket.

Bryan Breen, 24, was one of two people killed by a co-worker at the Pathmark grocery store in Old Bridge early Friday morning. Dozens lined up to remember and mourn as friends and family struggled to say goodbye.

Breen was remembered Tuesday for his gentle nature, his outgoing personality and his love of life.

"He really cared about people -- like you could really tell he was a very loyal and honest person," said friend Sarah Brown.

Outside Breen's wake at Old Bridge Funeral Home, his uncle, Robert Garland, said he dreamed of becoming a teacher. He delayed his plans because he loved his job at Pathmark.

He had worked there since high school earning money for college, a sense of self worth and plenty of friendships along the way, CBS 2's Amy Dardashtian reported.

"He would hug random customers at Pathmark. They would form a long line just to come to him," Garland said.

But it was at Pathmark where Breen died tragically Friday when new co-worker, 23-year-old Terence Tyler, went on a shooting rampage. Ten employees managed to escape, but Breen and 18-year-old Christina LoBrutto were killed before Tyler turned the gun on himself.

Tyler, an ex-Marine who started working at the store two weeks ago, walked into the Pathmark around 4 a.m. armed with an AK-47 and an automatic pistol and opened fire, shooting randomly at his co-workers, prosecutors said.

On Tuesday, cars packed the parking lot as friends and family tried to comfort Breen's parents, who lost their only child.

Officials do not believe the victims were specifically targeted. It's still not clear what sparked the shootings.

LoBrutto's wake will be held Wednesday evening at Michael Hegarty Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday morning.

Breen's funeral will be at the Old Bridge Funeral Home Wednesday morning. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, people donate to the American Cancer Society in Bryan Breen's name.

The store remains closed and a spokesman for Pathmark said it will not re-open before the funeral services.

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