Tragic New Year’s Night: Stray Bullet Claims the Life of Beloved Partner

As the clock ticked towards midnight on New Year's Eve, Angel Nunez decided to ring in the New Year in a memorable way. He made a heartfelt decision to visit his partner, Chris Dillon, at his home in Fort Lauderdale. The surprise was both unexpected and filled with love.

According to Chris, Angel appeared at his doorstep with a simple yet profound sentiment: "I didn’t want you to spend New Year’s Eve by yourself." Those words were a testament to the love and care Angel had for Chris. The night was supposed to be a joyful celebration, but it took a tragic turn that neither of them could have anticipated.

Angel, who was 50 years old, had arrived at Chris’s residence just in time to see the Christmas decorations shimmering across the Middle River from Wilton Manors. With minutes to spare before the New Year, the couple stepped onto the patio, embracing the view and each other as they awaited the countdown to 2020.

A Beautiful Moment Interrupted

As fireworks illuminated the sky in the distance, the couple shared a deeply intimate moment. "I grabbed the back of his head and he grabbed the back of my head," Chris recounted, "and we had the most beautiful kiss. It was so beautiful." The night was filled with love as they exchanged words of affection — "I love you" — words that would be the last they would ever say to each other.

In a split second, that beautiful moment was shattered. Angel was struck by a bullet that seemed to come out of nowhere. "He’s standing here, and all of a sudden he went like this," Chris described, recalling how Angel suddenly pulled at the front of his shirt. Chris noticed a flash out of the corner of his eye, and then Angel collapsed.

A Heartbreaking Discovery

"I did not think he was dead," Chris shared through tears in an interview with 6 South Florida News. He had tried desperately to help Angel, who was a father of two from a previous relationship, but Angel remained unresponsive. Panic and disbelief set in as Chris called 911, hoping for a miracle.

The paramedics arrived within minutes of the New Year, but despite their swift efforts, Angel was declared dead hours later. The bullet wound, a tiny slit less than an inch on Angel's stomach, was fatal. The gravity of the situation was overwhelming as Chris found himself sobbing on the floor, heartbroken by the loss of his beloved partner.

The Unseen Danger of Celebratory Gunfire

Chris believes that the stray bullet came from across the Middle River, from the Wilton Manors side. The odds of such a tragic accident seemed astronomical, and yet here they were, facing the devastating consequences of what appeared to be a negligent act of celebratory gunfire.

"You shoot up in the air for fun — you can’t do it in a city," Chris emphasized. His plea was heartfelt as he addressed the sobering reality: "My God, you killed somebody." Angel's life was cut short by someone who may not even realize the impact of their actions.

Angel was remembered by Chris as a kind and loving spirit, a fun-loving and hardworking individual whose life was tragically silenced. Friends and community members are left to mourn a loss that feels senseless and preventable.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is actively seeking information regarding the incident. They encourage anyone who might have witnessed anything or has knowledge about the shooting to come forward.

As we reflect on this tragic loss, it's a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise from celebratory gunfire. The LGBTQ+ community, along with the broader public, is encouraged to stay informed and connected to the issues that impact us all. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter to stay informed about the latest developments and stories that shape our communities.

Let us honor Angel's memory by advocating for safer communities where acts of negligence and violence are not tolerated.