A 23-year-old from Pittsford, New York, was fatally shot in a robbery attempt in Washington, D.C., last Thursday, January 18, 2024, around 10 p.m. on the 5000 block of South Dakota Avenue, NE, according to Metro DC police and statements from his family.
The victim, Ryan Realbuto, a recent St. Bonaventure University graduate, and two friends were returning home from a church event.
Assailants pulled up in a car and demanded money from Realbuto and his companions. When they failed to produce any cash, one of the attackers shot Realbuto, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Janet Realbuto, his mother, conveyed her grief and disbelief in an interview with a local news outlet, emphasizing the senselessness of her son’s death.
Originally from the Rochester suburb, Realbuto moved to the capital six months ago to join the Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps. His work involved assisting at-risk students through a work-study program at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Maryland.
The incident highlights a concerning rise in violent crime in Washington, D.C. Official police data shows an increase in homicides by 38% and robberies by 67% from 2022 to 2023, indicating a worrying trend in the city’s safety.
The director of the Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps program, Margaret McIntyre-Stacy, said that the attackers left without stealing any possessions, emphasizing the senseless nature of the violence that claimed Realbuto’s life.
Realbuto’s commitment to service was evident during his tenure at St. Bonaventure University, where he frequently volunteered for community services and served as a peer coach. The university expressed its condolences and plans to hold a candlelight vigil in his memory. It is also offering counseling services to students affected by this tragedy.
Realbuto’s aunt Lynn Fenicchia, who set up a GoFundMe page for his family, described her nephew as someone whose motivation stemmed from a desire to help others, not from financial gain. The GoFundMe page, which has generated over $130,000, aims to support his family with the expenses incurred due to Ryan’s medical care, legal fees, and funeral arrangements.
The Metropolitan Police Department continues its investigation into the homicide and urges the public to provide any information that could lead to an arrest. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.