Rockland County man shot to death, car crashes into parked car: police

HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. (PIX11) — A wild and deadly chain of events unfolded in a small Rockland County community on Monday.

Police said a heated argument ended with a man being shot to death inside his car, causing him to run off the road.

Neighbor Julio Ortiz said his daughter heard the shots and told her parents to get on the floor.

“I saw from outside the car and saw him slumped over, so I didn’t try to do anything,” Adaris Ortiz said.

The victim, Christian Alvarado, 29, of Pomona, slammed into a parked car after losing consciousness outside the Ortiz family home on Fairmount Avenue.

“I only saw the vehicle make the turn at high speed and collide with that vehicle,” said Junior Borgen, who heard the shots while working at a nearby autobody shop.

Police said a gunman likely targeted Alvarado downtown.

“There was some dispute between the victim and suspect. The victim ended up getting in his vehicle. The suspect ran up on him and fired into the vehicle,” Haverstraw Police Chief John Gould said.

Detectives discovered evidence that supports their belief that this was not a random attack.

“We had video surveillance of them interacting; it appeared they knew each other. Then some dispute happened and escalated from there,” Gould explained.

Neighbors are concerned for everyone’s safety, including children on summer vacation.

“That was very terrifying; there were kids there riding their bikes,” said Borgen.

Junior Mendia, 11, went back inside his house.

“I got scared something bad could happen, so I made sure to lock the windows and doors,” Mendia said.

Investigators and witnesses said the shooter calmly walked away after. Police said they have strong leads on the suspect’s identity.

Authorities asked the public to call the Haverstraw Police Department at (845) 354-1500 with any information about the murder.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.