A 47-year-old Allentown man was shot in the face and killed during a home invasion and attempted robbery as he sat with his wife in his kitchen having coffee, according to family members.
David M. Walterick died of a gunshot wound at 3:02 a.m. today at his home at 937 Pine St., Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said in a news release.
Walterick was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Rich Kroon at 4:48 a.m., he said.
Grim ruled Walterick's death a homicide.
Robin Young said her stepfather was shot as two men tried to rob him and her mother.
Grim said Walterick's body was removed around 10:45 a.m. after investigators processed the crime scene. The cause of death is pending an autopsy scheduled for tomorrow.
Young's story was confirmed by several friends and family members who gathered in narrow Pine Street -- an alley between Gordon and Chew streets-- with her this morning to mourn the loss of a man who they said opened his home and swimming pool to everyone in the neighborhood.
Young said it was his generosity that probably got him killed.
She said whoever shot him knew his routine.
Young said her mother, LeAnna Walterick, and stepfather wake up every morning around 3 a.m. to have coffee before he goes to work as a garbage truck driver for Raritan Valley Disposal.
Walterick, who joined Raritan Valley in 2001, had been assigned to drive a route in Easton since last year, according to general manager Charles Pantaleo.
He was a "phenomenal employee" and a safe, reliable driver, Pantaleo said.
"We had a safety meeting this morning and announced it to 50 men, pretty seasoned guys, and they were very upset," Pantaleo said. "It's definitely a loss."
Young said her stepfather's brother, Robert Walterick, also worked for Raritan Valley and lived with her parents in the half double at 937 Pine St. Young lives on the other side of the house at 935 Pine St. with her two daughters.
She said it was her 18-year-old daughter, Heather Martin, who heard LeAnna Walterick's screams about 3 a.m.
Young said her daughter ran next door and returned home shouting, "They shot Pops. Pops is dead."
Young said she then went next door and found her stepfather lying on the kitchen floor. He was shot in the face. "I wish I never went in there," Young said.
Young said the robbers probably hoped to find her mother home alone. Because her stepfather's brother had already left for work, she said the robbers probably thought her father had left too.
Young said her mother said her father was shot as he tried to grab the gun from one of the robbers. She said her mother, who was extremely upset, said the two men came to the side door to their kitchen. Their faces were covered with something blue --- either masks or scarves, she said her mother told her.
"I think he took it for my mom," Young said, with tears still on her cheeks. "He was my dad. He walked me down the aisle."
Young said her mother and stepfather married about 25 years ago, and he raised her and three siblings. Young said one of her sisters lives above her in an apartment and another sister lives a few blocks away.
"Their nature is they're nice to everyone," Young said of her parents. "My dad is always there to help out.... He's always fixing everyone's car."
She said her parents had an open-door policy, meaning children in their neighborhood helped themselves to food in the refrigerator and the backyard swimming pool.
And although they were generous, Young said they did not keep much cash in the house. She said her parents started using a bank about two or three years ago after their home was burglarized and a safe was removed.
She said her parents have lived on Pine Street for about 14 years, and most people in the neighborhood knew them.
-- Reporting by Tracy Jordan, Daniel Patrick Sheehan and Manuel Gamiz Jr., The Morning Call
