Mother begs for info about son's murder

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two weeks after Roderick Peoples, Jr. was shot dead, his mother says it's a struggle for her to get up, and face the day.

The father of two worked as a freelance photographer in Entertainment District nightclubs.

His mother, Tyra Goosby, said, "He didn't deserve this. Not at the age of 32. I'm not supposed to be burying my son."

Bridget Brown, Peoples' aunt, recalled, "He used to dance his behind off. And everybody loved him."

Goosby added, "He was known as the cameraman. He was just a very outgoing person. He didn't have any enemies in the world, that I knew about."

Peoples had been snapping pictures at the Big Bad Wolf Saloon on October 13 when he and two other men were shot in the back parking lot. The other two survived. His family believes, Peoples was not the shooter's intended target.

"I'd always tell him to be aware of his surroundings, and don't be at the wrong place at the wrong time. As a matter of fact, on the same day [he was killed], I talked to him," Brown said.

On top of their grief, they struggle with anger, because the other witnesses are not cooperating with police.

Goosby said, "I believe they think street justice is the way. And it's not. Because I don't want nobody else to go through what I'm going through."

Brown added, "Quit being a coward. Somebody knows what happened."

"Please, come forward. Give me a peace of mind. So I can rest; so my son can rest," Goosby pleaded.

Peoples' family is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of his killer.

Another murder here outside the Big Bad Wolf - that of 27-year-old James Henley in August - also remains unsolved.

We could not reach the bar owner for comment.