Modesto Man Killed while Calling Daughter



Dozens of relatives, friends and neighbors stood in front of the Stop N Save liquor store Monday night in Modesto to mourn the death of 57-year-old Richard Bernal.

"He's been my best friend for 42 years," Bernal's wife, Jeanie, rold FOX40.

She and the rest of his family - five children, 34 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren - are hoping his killer is caught soon.

Bernal's family says he was using his cell phone outside the Paradise Avenue convenience store Saturday night when someone attacked him from behind, stabbed him, jumped into a car and drove away.

Bernal's daughter, Cathy, was on the other line.

"As he laid on the ground fighting for his life he was still trying to call me," Cathy said. "And I'll never know what he was calling me for."

Joe, Bernal's brother, says he had spent time behind bars but he can't believe that's why he was targeted.

"This stage in his life though he had actually made some amends, and he was trying to work out things with his kids," Joe Bernal said.

Bernal was not robbed, and his family cannot understand the attack, but they do think someone knows something that can help police capture his killer.

"We're not advocating violence, we're saying hey you know anything please come forward and talk to the police talk to the authorities and we would like to see this person come to justice definitely," Joe Bernal said.

Police have not released any suspect descriptions.

Anyone with information can call Stanislaus Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may remain anonymous.
