WASHINGTON, D.C. – A volunteer from upstate New York, working with at-risk youths, was tragically shot and killed while walking home on Thursday night. Ryan Realbuto, 23, of Pittsford, NY, was a volunteer with the Catholic volunteer organization Capuchin Corps in D.C., where he was helping and assisting students at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School.
Realbuto and two friends were almost home after attending an event at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Shaw. As they walked along South Dakota Avenue, a car pulled up and the occupants asked them for money. When Realbuto informed them he had no money, he was shot.
Realbuto’s untimely death has left those who knew him in shock and devastated. Brother Stephen Cantwell of the Capuchin Corps described Realbuto as a deeply caring individual who worked tirelessly to understand and help others.
This tragic incident has also prompted questioning of safety in the neighborhood, with neighbors expressing surprise at the occurrence of such violence in their community. Realbuto’s death has forced those in the volunteer organization to contemplate their mission and the risks involved in living and working in communities they serve.
The shooting has left a deep impact on the local community, with neighbors like Sara Almgren, who had never felt unsafe in the area before, expressing concern and disbelief at the violent incident.
Realbuto’s death serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who live and work in at-risk communities, dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others. The loss of a young and dedicated volunteer has left a void in the hearts of those who knew and worked with him, prompting calls for prayers for everyone involved, including those who perpetrate such senseless acts of violence.