Heartbroken Mother Mourns Navy Veteran Allegedly Killed in Bronx Road Rage Incident
Bronx, NY — A mother is grappling with immense grief following the tragic death of her son, Keino Campbell, a 27-year-old Navy veteran, who was reportedly shot three times in a road rage incident early Saturday morning in the Eastchester area of the Bronx.
A Sudden Loss
Suzette Thomas, 50, recounted her heartbreak over losing her "best friend" in a senseless act of violence. "My son was like my best friend to me," she expressed, fighting back tears. She described their close bond, explaining how Campbell was always there for her in times of need. "When I’m going through anything, he’s the one I go to," she said.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. when Campbell confronted two motorists after they collided with his vehicle. In the ensuing altercation, he was shot multiple times, leading to his death shortly after being rushed to Jacobi Hospital.
Looking Back at a Life of Purpose
Thomas remembered her son as a generous individual who often supported his family financially while serving in the Navy. “He used to send me money and would say, ‘Don’t let the other kids know but I know you need it,’” she recalled. After leaving military service, he aspired to study electrical engineering this fall to provide for his family.
“He appreciated the sacrifices I made,” Thomas added. “He’d say, ‘Mom, you did this to get us out of poverty; I don’t want you to live in poverty.’”
Arrest and Charges
Authorities arrested 20-year-old Michael Aracena shortly after the incident, with charges including murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. Aracena is currently being held without bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for Friday. The individual believed to have provided Aracena with the firearm remains at large.
Campbell’s mother vowed to attend the upcoming court hearing, determined to confront the man accused of taking her son’s life.
A Mother’s Heartbreak
Thomas described the surreal moment she was informed about her son’s fatal shooting. "The doctors told me he got shot in the heart and it got shattered. They couldn’t repair it,” she shared, illustrating the painful reality that unfolded that night. Burdened with sorrow, she lamented the missed opportunity to hold her son’s body due to the ongoing investigation.
“This is my son lying there. My heart aches, and it’s difficult to comprehend this tragedy,” she added, grappling with the depth of her loss.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to mourn a life cut short, while Thomas seeks justice for her son.
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