Motive wanted handyman shoots well-known building employee

Investigators are still trying to find out why a local handyman allegedly shot and killed a friendly construction worker nicknamed the “Mayor of City Island”.

Video transcript

– – A truly bizarre and tragic story in a part of the Bronx that is usually idyllic. On City Island, a woman is shot dead by a man on a bicycle for a reason we do not yet know. The victim’s friend happened to be there too. And he jumped in his car, chased the shooter down, beat him, and then held him for cops. Why is that happend? Here is our Eyewitness News reporter Jim Dolan.

JIM DOLAN: Despite the murder of a colleague this afternoon, workers had to stop working on City Island tonight or the residents would not have had water. It was an emotional day. The neighbors left flowers on the bridge that leads to and from City Island. Nearby, police investigators at the scene were meticulous with the bike they believe the gunman was riding when he shot and killed a crew worker.

LYON’S TEETH: She did the slow and the stop, you know She had the sign and we’re coming to the island to slow down. Very nice. She actually had lunch the other day and got up. And that’s a good worker.

JIM DOLAN: The crew started work around 6:30 this morning to replace a water pipe. They crossed the street around noon to have lunch in this waterfront park on City Island. About half an hour later, they heard the gunshots.

– – The shots rang out and you know you never know. Because you have Rodman’s neck that’s right here. So shots are always fired. So you don’t know, but this sound is too clear and it was right outside the door.

JIM DOLAN: Police say the victim’s friend chased the suspect in that car and rammed him into his bike. You can see the damage. Police say the driver beat the suspect and held him for the police. The construction workers had been here on City Island for a few weeks. So many here knew the 52-year-old victim.

The story goes on

– – She was a very, very nice person. Very bubbly personality. The last kind of person you’d want to see something like this happened.

LYON’S TEETH: She was a doll, she was good. We all understand they work, you know. Wait for the traffic. It wasn’t a big deal. I don’t know how anyone can be so angry.

JIM DOLAN: The victim is 52-year-old Lizabeth Mass. She lived in Brooklyn. The 67-year-old man, who rode a bicycle and was being held for the police, is in custody. Police interviewed the friend who witnessed the shooting.