Darrel Rodriguez, a 26-year-old man shot on a Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, was remembered by family as a dedicated gym enthusiast and a committed caretaker for his ailing father. The incident occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. at the 53rd Street–7th Avenue station in Manhattan.

Rodriguez, who lived in The Bronx with his father, Tony, was well known to his family for balancing his job as a security guard with his passion for fitness. According to his aunt, Ana Pichardo, he frequently picked up additional shifts to support his family and was deeply devoted to his father, who suffered a stroke and has difficulty speaking.

“He was mainly with his father. He was crazy about his father,” Pichardo said at the pair’s Bronx apartment, adding that Rodriguez felt a strong emotional bond with Tony, even expressing jealousy when his father recently began a new romantic relationship.

Tony Rodriguez described how his son had recently established a home gym in his bedroom, outfitted with a weight bar and other equipment. Besides his interest in fitness, Darrel also enjoyed playing rock ’n’ roll on his guitar and singing.

Authorities reported that Rodriguez was shot in the chest by a masked assailant clad in a red tracksuit, black vest, and facial covering, who fled the scene on the northbound E train platform. Police indicated that an argument occurred between the two men prior to the shooting, though the motive remains unclear. Investigators are actively working to identify the suspect.

The shooting has raised concerns over safety in the city’s transit system, and law enforcement officials continue to seek additional information about the incident and the perpetrator’s whereabouts.