Family members: Man shot at Miami Airport was loving, gentle

[Marie26]

MAITLAND - Family members of the Orlando-area man who was shot to death at Miami International Airport by federal air marshals on Wednesday read a brief, handwritten statement Thursday that described him as loving and gentle. Relatives of Rigoberto Alpizar, 44, also asked about 30 news reporters stationed outside Alpizar's house on Gillis Court to leave.

``Rigoberto Alpizar a was a loving, gentle and caring husband, uncle, brother, son and friend. He was born in Costa Rica and became a proud American citizen several years ago. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, Jeanne Jentsch of Wisconsin said as her brother, Steven Buechner, also from Wisconsin, stood at her side. A Christmas wreath hung on the front door.

On Gillis Court, where steady rains came down Thursday, friends and neighbors recalled a man who was by all accounts gentle and friendly. After Hurricane Charlie toppled trees and power lines in Central Florida, Alpizar offered to run an electrical line from his generator across the street to Janice Tweedie's house so the retired registered nurse could have electricity. He offered to help clean up the limbs and branches.

That's the kind of neighbor the people on Gillis Court are remembering.
''I cried when I heard it on TV,'' Tweedie, 68, said. ''He and his wife are just as friendly as puppies,'' Tweedie said. ``I felt like if something ever happened to me, I could call on him to help me.''

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13361102.htm