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Suspect Sought After Man Shot, Killed In Driveway Of Mineola Home

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Nassau County are searching for a suspect who they said shot and killed a man in front of his Mineola home.

It happened around 9:30 p.m. Sunday on Roslyn Road.

Oscar Ventura, 44, had just gotten out of a cab when he was confronted by a gunman in his driveway, his brother Miguel Ventura said.

He said he heard someone say "give me the money" and then a gunshot.

"We hear the explosion, run and come outside and finding my brother," he told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera.

He said he called 911 as soon as he saw his brother was shot in the head, but no gunman.

The victim, who police said is also known as Oscar Granados, was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Ventura's brother said he doesn't know exactly where he was prior to the shooting, but said he was coming home from Hempstead.

"He never say where he go," Ventura said.

Devastated family members and friends said Ventura often spent his nights gambling and question if he somehow ran into problems, something police won't comment on, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported.

"He used to go to the casino," his brother-in-law Juan Valente said. "We heard he used to go to Hempstead."

As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported, authorities are looking into Ventura's activity between the time his family last saw him, and his return home.

"We are currently investigating his whereabouts from yesterday at about 5 p.m. when the relatives last saw him, up until the time he returned home about 9:30," Det. Capt. John Azzata, Nassau County Homicide Squad, said.

Suspect Sought After Man Shot, Killed In Driveway Of Mineola Home

But his loved ones can't understand why anyone would take his life. They said the immigrant from El Salvador has two children and spent most of his time working as a painter.

"We're still in shock right now," one relative told WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs.

"I feel sad," Ventura's nephew, Giancarlos Ventura, said. "It's really hard for everybody."

Police said it's unclear if the suspect got away with any money. They're also turning to the neighbors who have surveillance cameras for help with the investigation.

The victim's family wants answers and justice.

"Everybody would like to see what happened," Valente said.

Police are turning to neighbors for help, and are looking through video hoping they'll see something that helps them crack the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.

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