SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Family and friends gathered Friday to remember Joseph Soto, the man who was shot and killed on the job in late February.
Loved ones say Soto was working as a DoorDash driver the night he was shot outside of Wingstop on Florin Road in south Sacramento.
“He was just a loving kind person and we just want justice,” said Leslie Love, a close friend of the family and described as Soto’s "second mother."
Family and friends came together to remember a young father. Through the sadness, they came together to celebrate the young man, forever in their hearts.
“He had a lot of friends. He was loved by many, many people. He was a very respectable young man,” said Love. “Hard worker.”
“Joey was just always very loyal,” said Dominique Pellette, Soto’s former girlfriend.
“I loved him and he loves everybody,” said Natasha Blackwell, Soto’s friend.
Loved ones buried Soto Friday afternoon after his near month-long fight to stay alive. The 38-year-old was shot in the chest and initially expected to survive, but the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says his condition worsened. He died from his injuries.
“He gave us a month, but that with the bullet did a lot of damage to him,” said Denise Libe, Soto’s Mother.
The sheriff's office says its initial investigation found Soto may have been in an argument outside of the restaurant with another man when he was shot.
Detectives identified the suspect as Alimohammed Hamid, who was arrested last Friday and is now facing a murder charge.
“I have never seen him before my life,” said Andrea Lopez, Soto’s aunt.
Family says Soto was working that night so he could save up money to throw his 8-year-old daughter a birthday party, and that's what the man's family and friends will forever remember.
“I have buried his father when he was three months old. I am burying him 38 years later and I just want justice for my son,” said Libe.
“We have to learn to love each other and get along with each other. Not be so easy and quick to pull out a gun and shoot,” said Love.
Hamid is in Sacramento County jail and is not eligible for bail. He is due back in court May 29.
