Man shot at and killed by cousin while wearing bullet proof vest
A man was shot at and killed by his cousin while wearing a bullet proof vest. The Florida man reportedly wondered out loud whether the vest still worked.
According to Tampa police, Joaquin Mendez was fatally shot by his own cousin Alexandro Garibaldi Saturday evening.
A witness to the crime said that Mendez, the victim, put on a bulletproof vest while sitting in a chair. He then wondered out loud whether the vest still worked. Acorrding to the witness, Garibaldi then took out a handgun, and said "let's see." He then shot at the vest Mendez was wearing.
Mendez was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Mendez's family described the 23-year-old as "a great, loving young man" to ABC Action News.
The vest was found with a projectile entrance hole, WFLA reports.
Garibaldi is charged with manslaughter with a weapon and possession of a firearm.
Murder rates soar in major US cities:
