Mario Bahamondes, 35, was shot to death early Thursday morning as he walked to the bus stop near his home.
His brother said he would leave each day around 5:00am to catch a 5:30 bus to downtown. He was a few blocks away on FM 1960 and Veterans Memorial when a gunman confronted him.
Bahamondes was shot once in the chest, stumbled about 300 feet and died. The gunman did not take anything, according to detectives.
"It was a robbery. They didn't need to kill him," said John Arcangeli, the victim's brother.
Harris County Sheriff's investigators did their best to conceal the graphic scene in the shopping plaza as stores started to open their doors Thursday morning.
"I got the call from my mom and dad. They called at the same time," said Arcangeli. "That never happens, (they) said it's Mario. Call me and I rushed over here as fast as I could."
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Arcangeli says his brother came to the United States about three years ago from Chile at their urging. They were thrilled to have him and he loved his new home.
"Brought him here for a better life. He loved being here. I've never seen him more happy," said his brother. "Who knew it would be so short."
Bahamondes was taking English classes and working. Pictures on social media show him enjoying the beach. His family called him "caring, hard-working and pure."
They hope anyone with information on the killer will come forward.
"He needs to be caught," they added.
Investigators believe the person who shot Bahamondes robbed a man of his wallet and cell phone less than a hour earlier. No one was injured in that crime.
Anyone with information is asked to call HCSO Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.