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Nov 20, 2008 7:22 pm US/Eastern
Staten Island Father Mysteriously Murdered
Cops Think 29-Year-Old Native Of Trinidad Was Killed During A Robbery, But Clues Have Been Hard To Come By
STATEN ISLAND (CBS) ―
A murder mystery on Staten Island has left two children without a father. The victim was gunned down after a night out with his wife in what police believe was a robbery.
At the home where the victim grew up, friends brought flowers and lit candles, amid his mother's dismay over the killing.
"'Cause my son was a very loving boy," Elizabeth Decoteau said. "Anyone you speak to, I never know my son to have an enemy."
Her son, 29-year-old Michael Decoteau, who came to this country as a child from Trinidad, was the father of a 7-week-old daughter, and a 6-year-old girl. For the last few years, he lived in Brooklyn. He was found dead early Saturday morning on the sidewalk at Jersey and Brook streets.
Police said he was shot in the face in an apparent robbery attempt. His wallet was missing.
His family said he was elegantly dressed, having taken his wife out for the night. He then brought his aunt home who'd been babysitting for his daughters.
"[He] went out with the wife, took aunt back, said going home, stopped off with friends, got call he was dead, killed basically," said Anthonly Decoteau, the victim's brother.
Family members said he worked with his wife, setting up a travel agency in Brooklyn.
"What I would like to know, what was the reason for taking away a father from a 7-week old child and a 6-year-old child?" Elizabeth Decoteau said.
The family is wondering if it was nothing more than a vicious robbery.
"Million dollar question, we don't know," Anthonly Decoteau said.
Police have little to go on, and are asking for the public's assistance, should anyone have seen the shooting or know who did it.
The victim will be buried in Woodbridge, N.J., on Friday.
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