NEW YORK TIMES – A grandfather was shot to death in his central Brooklyn apartment early yesterday morning after an evening of drinking with friends, police and family members said.

Aubrey Mercurius, a 53-year-old immigrant from Guyana, was found with a bullet wound to his chest inside his home around 12:30 a.m. by his girlfriend, according to family.

“He fell face down in front of her. She helped him turn over and then saw the blood,” said the slain man’s sister-in-law Marva Williams, 37.
Family said Mercurius, his brother and friends were drinking in a finished portion of their Saratoga Avenue’s basement earlier in the evening.

His girlfriend told family she didn’t hear any struggle or a gun shot.

“He was a good man. Family oriented. It hurts,” said his son Devon Mercurius, 21.

“I don’t think he was going to get robbed for such a low amount of money. One shot to the chest and that was it.”

He said he believed the attacker made off with approximately US$20.
Police are investigating the murder. (additional reporting by Chuck Bennett)