MAPLEWOOD, Mo. — "I'm actually really sad because this was a really good neighbor with a big heart," said a woman who spoke with 5 On Your Side and asked that her identity not be revealed.
She's talking about Terron Vales.
His neighbor said the 32-year-old lived across from her apartment in Maplewood with his three young boys and girlfriend.
"Our families went to like the bowling alley before and he was really just a generous person," said Vales' neighbor.
Shortly after 5 Thursday afternoon, the apartment complex on Yale Avenue just north of Manchester Avenue became a crime scene.
Neighbors told 5 On Your Side Vales had just arrived home when three men confronted him. They said they first heard an argument and then a single gunshot.
"Actually it was like a fight. He had a fight with one guy and then another man got a gun from another guy and my neighbor was shot in his his back. He was still lying on the ground when I actually came out," said the neighbor.
Vales died at a hospital.
On Friday, Major Case Squad detectives returned to the scene, and spent hours talking to neighbors and looking for clues in the deadly shooting.
This is Maplewood's third homicide in a year and a half.
"I don't consider that it's like violent in this area. I never felt scared other than Thursday night," said the man's neighbor.
Police ask anyone with possible cellphone or surveillance video to come forward, hoping it will help them solve the crime.
"He really loved his family, so I really feel sorry for them that they are not going to be able to have their father," said the neighbor.
Police are asking anyone with information or cell phone or surveillance video to come forward.
If you know anything about the deadly shooting, please call the Maplewood Police Department at 314-645-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 866-371-TIPS.