A 64-year-old property manager on his way to collect rent from a client was gunned down during an apparent robbery on a Brooklyn street last night, authorities said.
Paul Setteducato’s body was found lying next to the driver’s side door of his parked 2000 Mercedes Benz SUV after he was shot several times in the head and chest on Erasmus Street near Nostrand Avenue in East Flatbush at around 6:20 p.m., cops said.
Police said the Midwood resident was in the neighborhood collecting rent when the unknown gunman opened fire, police said, adding that it’s possible that the thief may have known the victim was going to pick up the money.
Investigators think the thief was sitting in the passenger seat next to Setteducato before pulling the trigger, sources said.
After being shot once, it’s believed Setteducato fell out of the car before the gunman got out of the vehicle, leaving the passenger side door open, and finished him off, sources said.
“I heard a series of four shots,” said Winston Harris, 63. “When I heard the first pop, I thought it was fireworks but then when I heard the second pop I thought, ‘oh no.’”
Investigators believe the thief may have made off with the rent money before fleeing, sources said.
Police said Setteducato was still in possession of his wallet and cell phone when he was found at the scene.
“I saw the man lying on the street, behind his car. He was shot in the side of the head,” Harris continued. “I saw [the thief] on the block earlier in the day. It looked like he was looking for someone.”
“People say they think they saw someone run out of the passenger door.”
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, according to police.