Man charged with murdering Army veteran, father in Humboldt Park, Chicago police say
Relatives remember the victim, Andrew Garay, as selfless, hardworking, and someone who got along with everyone.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A suspect has been charged with murdering a young father and U.S. Army veteran on Chicago's Northwest Side earlier this year, Chicago police said on Saturday.
Police arrested Jonathan Roldan, a 35-year-old Chicago man, on Thursday. He is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the Jan. 23 shooting.
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Roldan allegedly shot 30-year-old Andrew Garay, who was sitting in his vehicle, in the Humboldt Park neighborhood's 3500-block of West Wabansia Avenue around 9 p.m. that evening.
ABC7 spoke with Garay's family back in January.
"He kissed me on my forehead three hours before and said, 'Mom, I'll be back in a little bit,'" said Debbie Knutt, the victim's mother.
Garay's relatives said he had just dropped off his girlfriend and her daughter at their home before the gunfire rang out.
"They just got out of the car," said Samantha Knutt, the victim's sister. "They were up right at the apartment door when it happened."
Why anyone would want to harm Garay has been a mystery to his loved ones.
"It's just been complete shock, honestly. I don't think any of us really genuinely know how to feel or even accept that he's gone," Samantha said.
They remember him as selfless, hardworking, and someone who got along with everyone.
"Andrew just exuded this presence that made you feel safe, and he made you feel happy like I've never seen anybody, not like Andrew," said Karjan Dambaugh, the victim's cousin. "If he loved you, he loved with everything... He was the person that would show up randomly and just make everything right."
Garay's family said he lived on the Northwest Side, and after leaving the Army, worked as a package delivery driver. He leaves behind a 7-year-old daughter.
"He would do anything under the sun for that girl. If she needed anything, okay, daddy's got it. You want to play games? Daddy's got it," Samantha said.
Relatives say Garay aspired to be a Chicago police officer and was working toward applying.
Roldan is due in court on Sunday.
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