News

UPDATED: Pizza delivery driver murdered in Philadelphia

January 19, 2004

PHILADELPHIA—Bita Dobromirescu, a 46-year-old delivery driver for New Oxford Pizza was shot and killed on the night of Jan. 18 as he made a delivery run to an apartment on the city's northeast side.

According to multiple news outlets, Dobromirescu was shot behind his right ear and found lying in the street in the city's Frankford section. Police pronounced him dead at the scene.

Family and friends said they were at a loss as to why someone would kill Dobromirescu, an eight-year New Oxford Pizza veteran and father of four.

"They didn't attempt to take money," his daughter, Lucia Dobromirescu, 19, told the Philadelphia Daily News. "If someone wanted to rob him, they would have just put the gun out and taken his money. He would have given his money, his shoes, anything."

Police have made no arrests in the case, but they did question and release a woman who placed the pizza order Sunday night.

Dobromirescu told NBC 10 News her father had been in a car accident recently and that the man who allegedly hit him fled the scene. Her father recognized the man and reported the incident to the police.

The man lives near the scene of Dobromirescu's shooting, and his daughter suspects the accident may be connected.

Police will not confirm whether they are pursuing the incident as a lead.