Southern California father shot and killed in front of his children

Loved ones are devastated after a young father was shot and killed while walking with his family.

On June 22, Anthony Brieno, 28, was walking near the 1100 block of East Wanamaker Drive in Covina at around 9:35 p.m., according to the Covina Police Department.

Brieno was with his wife and three children — an 11-year-old girl and 9-year-old twin boys. That’s when a male suspect suddenly approached them and began walking in between Brieno and his family, prompting a verbal altercation.

As Brieno attempted to shield his family, the suspect pulled out a gun from his waistband and fired two shots, striking Brieno in the chest. Brieno later died from his injuries at the hospital while the suspect remains at large.

His family is devastated as they remember the loving father and husband.

“When he walked into a room, he lit up the room,” said Lena Lopez, the victim’s aunt. “He had a huge heart. He absolutely adored his kids, [would do] anything for his kids.”

Lopez and relatives hosted a car wash fundraiser on July 6 to raise money for Brieno’s funeral expenses. His family is left with many unanswered questions, including why the gunman targeted them.

“The kids were literally right there when he just pulled the gun out and just shot him,” Lopez said.

Brieno and his family were walking home that night and were right outside their residence when the deadly confrontation happened.

“Now that my kids don’t have a father, who are they going to look up to?” said Brieno’s wife tearfully. “The person who shot my husband took my soldier away. He took my person away. Now, [my children] don’t even have a role model to look at.”

Lopez said everyone is having a hard time processing Brieno’s death, especially his three young children.

“They are also autistic,” Lopez said of Brieno’s kids. “They saw their dad get murdered, so, they need a lot [of resources]. They need to see a doctor. My nephew came up to me and hugged me and said, ‘Auntie, my daddy got shot and killed. Someone pulled out a gun and shot him.’ That’s the worst thing for a kid to see and that’s all he’s been saying.”

Family and community members are mourning together while working to raise funds for the young father’s funeral.

“We are pleading for people to give whatever they can,” Lopez said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s five dollars. That’s five dollars we didn’t have five minutes ago. Any money helps to get a casket. It’s so expensive for a funeral and [the family] has nothing right now.”

A GoFundMe to raise money for the Brieno family can be found here.

Police have released a sketch of the suspect in hopes someone may recognize him.

The gunman is described as a Hispanic man around 20-25 years old. He stands around 5 feet 5 inches tall and has a thin build.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Det. Preciado at 626-384-5622.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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