WASHINGTON, D.C. – A volunteer from upstate New York, who had dedicated his time to working with at-risk youths in the nation’s capital, was tragically shot and killed during an alleged robbery on Thursday night.
23-year-old Ryan Realbuto, originally from Pittsford, NY, had been volunteering with a Catholic organization in D.C., where he had found a calling that perfectly matched his compassionate personality.
Realbuto’s involvement with the Capuchin Corps led him to Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, where he was devoted to assisting and supporting the students. On the fateful Thursday night, he was returning from a church event in Shaw with two friends when they were approached by a car on South Dakota Avenue.
According to the police, the car’s occupants demanded money from the group, and when Realbuto said he had none, he was shot. Despite the efforts of neighbors and emergency responders, Realbuto was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The tragic incident has left those who knew Realbuto in shock and mourning, while also prompting contemplation within the volunteer organization he served. Brother Stephen Cantwell of the Capuchin Corps urged prayers for everyone involved, including those responsible for the act of violence.
The volunteers are encouraged to live in the communities they serve, and the organization is reeling from the unexpected and senseless loss of one of their own. Realbuto’s dedication and caring nature have left a lasting impact on those he touched, and the community has been left to grapple with the loss of a kind-hearted and devoted individual.
The search for the perpetrators, as well as the efforts to support Realbuto’s family and friends, continues as the community reflects on the tragic outcome of a selfless act of service.