Bergen County man shot in D.C. bus stop to be repatriated to Venezuela

Yeferson Alejandro Moreno-Gimenez, 27, was shot and killed on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 29, while waiting for a bus in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred in the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue NE, near the Temple Hills community where he lived.

Moreno-Gimenez, a Venezuelan immigrant, was waiting to return home after finishing a work shift. He was fatally wounded by gunfire at approximately 5 a.m. Less than 20 minutes after the shooting, Metropolitan Police Department officers shot William Louis Chase Jr., 47, during a separate confrontation blocks away. Chase survived the encounter and has been charged with first-degree murder, felony assault on a police officer and emergency personnel, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Community members who knew Moreno-Gimenez described him as a hardworking husband and father who dedicated much of his time to helping fellow Venezuelans. Akaliana Daura Gaskins, whose best friend was Moreno-Gimenez's godmother, called him a young man full of dreams who moved to the United States to improve his life. He is survived by his wife, his 3-year-old daughter, his mother, and his siblings.

The family is now organizing an effort to bring his body back to Venezuela for burial. Liliana Rodríguez started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the transportation of his remains. The funds will also provide financial assistance to his wife and young daughter during their time of mourning.

Organizers asked for financial contributions from the community, noting that any amount helps cover the costs of repatriation. The Venezuela Unida DMV group has also appealed for donations to support the family. Organizers wrote that sharing the campaign is also a way to help those who cannot contribute money directly.

The immediate focus for Moreno-Gimenez's relatives is to complete the journey that began when he left his homeland to build a better life. His mother and other loved ones hope to give him a proper burial in Venezuela. The GoFundMe page remains active as the community gathers support for the funeral arrangements.