Parkchester father of 6 returns home after shooting; suspect turns himself in
Fernando Noyola returned home after a 16-day fight for his life, reuniting with his children after undergoing three surgeries.
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A Parkchester father of six is back home more than two weeks after he was critically wounded in a shooting outside his home, and the man accused of pulling the trigger is now in custody, police said.
Fernando Noyola returned home after a 16-day fight for his life, reuniting with his children after undergoing three surgeries.
“To see them in person, it was just very emotional,” Noyola said. “I haven’t spent that much time away from them. I’ve always been with them every day.”
Noyola was shot three times in the stomach on March 5 outside his home on Taylor Avenue. Officials say 28-year-old Sergio Vazquez opened fire during an incident connected to a custody exchange involving Noyola’s sister-in-law.
News 12 previously spoke with Noyola from his hospital bed. He said Vazquez became aggressive toward a friend of his son before the shooting.
“In his words, it was like, ‘Oh, the problem’s not with you,’ and he’s right, the problem’s not with me,” Noyola said. “But I’m not gonna let you come in my house.”
Noyola said he had been unable to sleep while Vazquez remained free. That changed Thursday, when Vazquez turned himself in, according to police.
Vazquez’s attorney told News 12 in a statement, “This case will show without a doubt that our client acted in self-defense after being assaulted and jumped by three individuals,” two of whom the lawyer said were not seen in the video.
Noyola’s wife, Jericka Noyola, said the family believes justice is moving forward.
“Justice will be served, and the evidence will speak for itself,” she said.
Text messages between Vazquez and his sister appeared to show he planned to return and “clap” one of them — slang she said means to shoot someone.
Police said Vazquez was awaiting arraignment Thursday night. He is facing multiple charges, including attempted manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment-- his 3-year-old daughter was in the car at the time of the shooting.
A Gofundme has been set up to support Noyola's recovery.
