WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A New York man and church volunteer who moved to D.C. to work with at-risk youth was killed in an attempted robbery last week. Police said 23-year-old Ryan Realbuto of Pittsford, NY (near Rochester) was walking home with friends in the 5000 block of South Dakota Avenue, NE on Thursday, Jan. 18 when he was shot in the stomach shortly after 10 p.m.
Relatives who helped raise over $100,000 for his family on a GoFundMe account said his roommates applied pressure to the wound while the suspects took off empty-handed. Realbuto and his friends had just left a social gathering earlier that night at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Shaw. They were heading to their group home in Brookland when the attack happened.
His mother spoke to WUSA9 on the phone from her home in upstate New York. She said she did her research before sending her youngest son to the District. She asked a friend who lived in D.C. about the neighborhood and if it was safe. And while she recognized no community is immune from violence, she said his senseless killing has shattered many lives.
His life of faith and service was cut short by the careless impulse of someone with a gun.
“The only thing that gives me some sense of peace is that he was happy,” his mother Janet cried, “the last few months of his life were the best.”
Realbuto said her son loved D.C. and hoped to relocate here permanently. A young man who overcame his hearing and learning challenges to find purpose in church and in community, Realbuto earned degrees in sociology and criminology from St. Bonaventure University in NY State. The 23-year-old relocated to the District six months ago to begin a year-long volunteer program through the Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps. Cap Corps has started a memorial fund in his name.
Realbuto also worked with young people at a Don Bosco Christo Ray High School in Takoma Park, MD.
Mother of slain DC volunteer calls for justice in son's shooting death
“The last time he came home over Christmas we all saw in him that he had really gotten to the point where he accepted himself where he knew he was a worthy person and he had confidence and he had made friends,” said his mother.
Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke about the killing at a news conference on Monday.
“Anytime someone senselessly loses their life in the District, we want immediate accountability,” said Mayor Bowser.
“So many people have said to me that Ryan was too good for this earth, but Ryan should still be here,” Realbuto said as her voice broke down in emotion, “Ryan wouldn’t have left his family. Ryan had an infectious smile. He was kind, gentle, caring, thoughtful. He would’ve given anything. He loved his family fiercely. He was joy when he entered my life, when he entered the room, he was joy. He was pure. He was innocent. He lived a life of meaning and a life that had impact.”
Police are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.