79-year-old man fatally shot by stray bullet in New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, Westchester County (WABC) -- Investigators believe a 79-year-old grandfather shot and killed in New Rochelle was not the intended target.

Manuel Ayala was sitting on the street Saturday night, doing what he loved - hanging out with children, when a stray bullet took his life.

"It hurts to miss a guy that we love, but I hope the person who did it has to pay, whatever he did," says the Manuel's grandson, Daniel Ayala.

Daniel was overcome by the loss of his grandfather.

"The shot wasn't for him," he said.

Around 11:15 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Third Street and Union Avenue in New Rochelle, things suddenly turned violent. Manuel was sitting on a milk crate in front of a deli moments before he was shot in the shoulder.

Juan Castillo was working at the deli when it all happened - he heard two shots.

"And he's angry someone could do this with so many young children standing on the corner," Castillo said.

Friends said Manuel was so friendly and full of life. He had arrived from Mexico four months ago to be closer to his family. Manuel had 12 children and lots of grandchildren who lived in New Rochelle.

Police believe that a group of men who were standing at the same corner were the intended targets. No arrests have been made, but police say they have some leads about the shooter.