CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Cheektowaga Police said a 20-year-old was shot and killed during an argument Saturday on Cedar Road.
7 News spoke with family members who said the victim was 20-year-old MDrawnaq Ratin.
“My wife called and she said ‘your son, he was shot,’” Ratin’s father, MDataur Liton said. “I cannot believe that, because my son is a good guy, I don’t know who shot him.”
Ratin’s friend Hammad Latif told 7 News that there was an argument over a parking spot in front of an empty lot on Cedar Road, a place he said they would hang out often.
"All of a sudden, [the shooter] had a problem with him parking there. It was free parking, it was a road, and he got mad for some reason,” Latif said. “He tried to threaten us, and he tried to attack him. He unholstered his gun. When we were trying to go back to the car, he just shot him.”
For Ratin’s family, the meaning behind the killing is much deeper than a parking spot.
“I think this is hate crime, they don’t like us, maybe,” Liton said.
Cheektowaga Police told 7 News that it is too early to know if this was a hate crime.
According to police, a person claiming to be the shooter called 911 around 5 p.m. Saturday to report the incident. Officers began life-saving measures until Ratin was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he later died.
Officers recovered a gun from the scene. Police told 7 News that despite someone reporting themselves as the shooter, police must complete their investigation before any arrests are made. They do not believe the public is in any danger.
No arrests have been made at this time.
With no arrests made at this time, Ratin’s family is calling for justice.
“I am very sad, I want to see justice,” Liton said.
"Make sure he gets justice,” Latif said.
"We are urging members of our community to remain patient and calm as we work to collect and process evidence from the scene of the homicide," said Cheektowaga Police Captain Jeffrey Schmidt.
Anyone with information or video is asked to contact the Cheektowaga Police Detective Bureau at (716) 686-3510.
Ratin’s family tells 7 News that a memorial service will be held at the Buffalo Muslim Center on Monday at 5 p.m.
