ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - A young man's life tragically ended after he was shot while driving with two friends. The case remains a mystery three years later.
Nick Dibuono is desperate for answers about who pulled the trigger and killed his 19-year-old son, Josh Dibuono.
“Somebody out there knows something,” Dibuono said.
Josh would have been 22 years old this year. Holidays, birthdays and milestones have passed, and his family longs for answers.
"We’re doing the best we can. It’s still hard," Dibuono said. "It’s been three years now and we’re not any closer to finding the people responsible for taking my son's life. This past week was a very difficult week."
In 2018, Josh was driving with two friends down U.S. 17 in North Carolina while making the trip to from Hampton to Elizabeth City. Officials said he had communicated with a man online about buying a set of rims for his new truck, but he never met up with the man.
Authorities have told News 3 they do not believe that man to be involved at all and he is not considered a suspect.
Law enforcement say two men in a small red sedan opened fire on Josh’s truck, leaving multiple bullet holes along the driver's side of the vehicle. His friend worked to get control of the car while trying to save him.
His dad said was flown to Sentara Norfolk General and died in surgery.
Josh’s family is heartbroken, especially his dad.
“Just not having him there to greet me when I get home or say goodnight to, it's hard,” Dibuono said. “Even three years later, it still feels unreal that he's gone.”
Leaders with the Pasquotank Sheriff’s Office said this is an unusual case, possibly road rage, but say there are no suspects.
Josh’s father said he’s is offering his own $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in his son's case.
“We take it day by day and we just don’t give up hope that I will get the break we’re looking for," Dibuono said.
Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office officials urge witnesses or anyone with information that may lead to an arrest to contact the Crime Line at 252-335-5555.
Witnesses can remain anonymous and may be eligible for another reward through the Crime Line if the information leads to an arrest.
