Help Us Lay Ronell Marte to Rest

On September 4th, 2025, my big brother, Ronell Marte, was tragically shot and killed during a robbery at Starlight Park in the Bronx. He had just finished his night shift at the Amazon warehouse, clocking out at 11 PM, and was walking home—a nearly 50-minute walk he took instead of public transportation because Ronell had been jumped on the train before from an attempted robbery, so walking felt like the safer option to him. That night, he took a shortcut through the park, and heartbreakingly, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and only 5 mins away from home.

Ronell was innocent and gentle hearted. Anyone who knew him knows how generous, selfless, kind, incredibly funny, independent, and hardworking he was. Ronell was autistic, but very high-functioning, and he prided himself on his independence. Nothing stopped him from achieving his goals and he continuously broke the barriers and stereotypes that society sometimes puts on people who have autism. With no prior experience, no connections, and no outside help, he got his first job at Amazon and held it for years—all while successfully earning his associate’s degree in graphic design from Hostos Community College.

Growing up, Ronell faced bullying in middle and high school for seeming a little different, but he never let it harden him or his heart. His heart remained pure and soft, his spirit joyful, and his laugh was so contagious that it could lift you up from your lowest point, making you feel just as joyful as him. He was the best of our family—the kind of person you wish you could be more like. As the oldest son, he set the standard for his younger siblings, becoming the first in our family to graduate from college and showing us all the value of perseverance, kindness, and strength.

His loss has left us shattered. Our family is heartbroken, lost, and struggling to comprehend how such a bright light could be taken from this world. Ronell was truly an angel on earth.

We are asking for support to help cover Ronell’s funeral expenses and burial arrangements, as we are processing the international transport of our loved one to be laid to rest in our home country the Dominican Republic. This will allow us to truly honor his memory in the way he deserves—extraordinarily and surrounded by family. These funds will also help our family relocate, as Ronell’s passing happened so close to home. Remaining here is unbearable—we cannot continue to live in the same place where his life was taken from him and be forced to relive this traumatic event every day.

Any amount—big or small—means so much to us during this difficult time. If you’re unable to donate, please consider keeping our family in your prayers and sharing this page so others may help.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, kindness, and support as we grieve the loss of our beloved son, brother, and friend, Ronell.

—The Marte Family