A 26-year-old Bronx man on his way home from work was fatally shot early this morning by a robber who was after his iPhone. Police say Hwang Yang was held at gunpoint by the suspect at the corner of Cambridge Avenue and West 232 Street around 12:30 a.m.—it's unclear what exactly happened, but the suspect shot Yang once at close range. According to the News, one witness heard the shot and "saw the thug walk up to Yang’s body, kick him over, rifle through his pockets and snatch his iPhone."

Yang was taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead; the robber escaped on foot, and witnesses saw him driving away in a car. Family friend Ji Park told the Wall Street Journal that Yang shared a two-family house with his parents and sister; in addition to being a chef, he also taught Sunday school at St. John Nam Church. “He’s such a nice boy,” she said. “Why did that happen? What about his mother and father? Why did they kill the people? Take the money, take the things. This is ridiculous."

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. released this statement about the death:

I am deeply saddened by this morning’s shooting on Cambridge Avenue in Riverdale, where a 26 year-old hard working man, Hwang Yang, was shot to death over his iPhone.

My heart goes out to Hwang Yang’s family as we keep them in our prayers. It is extremely disappointing to see such senseless, cowardly acts being committed in our borough. It saddens me to hear of the callous disregard for human life among these criminals who think it is ok to take someone else’s life.

I know I speak for all Bronxites in condemning this despicable act. My office will continue to work with the police, our district attorney, elected officials, and other community organizations to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can.

I urge all Bronxites with knowledge of illegal guns in their community to call 866-GUN-STOP to anonymously report those guns to the police, a program that my office continues to promote through our ‘Peace in our Streets’ campaign.