Watch CBS News

Was Beloved Great-Grandfather's Murder A Case Of Mistaken Identity?

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — The family of a 57-year-old man slain in front of his home believes his murder was the case of mistaken identity.

The murder occurred in San Bernardino Saturday evening.

Manuel Bustos' family gathered Sunday to hold a vigil in his honor.

They said Bustos was loved by everyone -- and was already dying.

He was battling deadly liver disease for the past six years. His family told KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo said every time he was on the brink of death, he fought back.

"That's not how you're supposed to go," said his son Archie. "He was surviving."

The family says he spent the day listening to music in his yard in the 1700 block of Garden Drive.

He went next door to check on a son who was attending a birthday celebration about 8 p.m. When he returned to his home, two men hopped out of grey truck and fired a gun. They took off.

"I thought it was a balloon," said Archie. "But it felt different, so I walked up and seen that they shot my dad."

The family insists Bustos has no enemies -- he's a loving man, grandfather and great-grandfather.

They admit Bustos had hard times but turned his life around, years ago. And he's been sober for years, too.

"He was a bundle of joy. He would help anybody," said his wife of 30 years, Ofelia. "He would fix cars and everything. He did a lot for a lot of people."

His wife is hoping the killers turn themselves in. "It would give me some peace," she said.

If you have any information about the murder, you are asked to call San Bernardino County Sheriff's.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.