42-Year-Old Alabama Father Fatally Shot on Way to Work, Leaving Pregnant Wife and Three Daughters

Authorities in Alabama are investigating the tragic death of Rosniery Mejia Magaña, a 42-year-old father of three who was shot and killed outside his home in Montgomery during an apparent attempted robbery, according to local reports.

Magaña was preparing to leave for work last Wednesday when the shooting occurred just steps from his front door at the Evergreen Estates mobile home park, WSFA reported. Responders pronounced him dead at the scene, and police are treating the incident as a homicide.

“Rosniery was on his way out, and the guy literally steps inside the house and just shoots him right in the face,” Magaña’s relative, Caren Montoya, told KGNS.

Montoya described Magaña as one of the kindest people anyone could meet. She expressed heartbreak over the fact that the alleged shooter not only took Magaña’s life but robbed him of the chance to see his three daughters grow up and welcome his unborn child. Montoya revealed that the family had only recently learned of the pregnancy.

“I found out that same day because she [Magaña’s wife] said something,” Montoya shared. “I was like, ‘Oh, you’re pregnant.’ She was like, ‘We were trying to figure out a way to surprise the family.’” Five years ago, Magaña and his family fled violence in Honduras, seeking a safer life in the United States.

Montoya lamented the cruel irony of Magaña falling victim to the same type of violence they had tried to escape. “They came fleeing from pretty much similar situations,” Montoya said. “They’ve had a lot of families murdered in their country, so they were fleeing that… only for him to come here, and the same thing happens.”

Montoya added that the killing has left the family feeling unsafe. “Everyone is terrified right now. His other cousin is afraid to go back to his own home. You’re not secure. You’re not.”

To support Magaña’s grieving family, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to cover funeral expenses and help send his remains back to Honduras. The funds will also assist his daughters and pregnant wife.

“As many of you know, unfortunately, he was murdered inside his home,” the family wrote in the campaign description. “We ask for all your prayers & support… we would greatly appreciate any donations.”

No arrests have been made as of now, and authorities are continuing to investigate the case, which they suspect was a robbery gone wrong.