Heartbroken loved ones of a murdered Bronx man dipped their fingers in his blood and wrote his name on their shirts in a bizarre ritual to honor the man’s memory Thursday.
Hours after Daquan Cooper, 23, was shot and killed in Parkchester, a group of women wrote “Day Day” on the white shirts they wore. They also smeared the blood on a nearby memorial that read “Rest In Peace Dolo” — another nickname for the murdered man, family members said.
“Rest in peace to my fly a-- cousin,” a mourner wrote before smearing blood on the cardboard marker.
Another woman sucked up some of the blood in an eye dropper as a keepsake, witnesses said.
A gunman blasted away at the father of two and a 35-year-old man during a 2:30 a.m. dice game on Unionport Road near E. Tremont Ave., officials said.
Cooper was shot in the head and died at the scene, officials said.
The man he was playing dice with was shot in both legs and was treated at Jacobi Hospital, officials said.
A number of shell casings were found at the scene.
Neighbors said that the sound of gunfire woke them up.
"I heard the shots, a lot, like four or five," said David Hidalgo, 43, who lives in a building just steps away from the shooting. “It sounded like it was right under my window, and I'm on the 11th floor so imagine that."
Hidalgo noted gun violence is a common occurrence in the area.
"You always hear the shootings. You always hear the gun shots go off," he said. "I got to get out this neighborhood."
Friends said that Daquan had a son and a daughter and lived with his mother, who did not participate in the blood theatrics.
Police said Cooper had an extensive criminal history. His last arrest was for robbery, they said.
