A Harlem parking-garage attendant was shot to death by an armed robber when he couldn't open a cash-deposit box, police said.
A chilling security video shows the robber leading Jose Lazala, 30, at gunpoint into the glass-enclosed office at the W. 132nd St. garage sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 11p.m. Monday, sources said.
Moments after the robber and Lazala pass out of view, the footage shows blood splattering on the window.
The murder was not reported until a worker showed up to relieve Lazala around 12:30a.m. Tuesday, sources said.
Cops believe the robber demanded Lazala cough up the key to the locked deposit box.
When Lazala explained that employees aren't given keys, the robber shot him in the head and fled, the sources said. The robber was still on the run last night.
Lazala, an Army veteran who lived in Washington Heights, came to New York from the Dominican Republic 12 years ago, friends and family said.
The father of two - whose wife is in the military and lives out of state - was taking English classes and training to become a building superintendent. He was anxious to leave the garage.
"He was there all alone, doing it all by himself," said Lazala's roommate, Alfredo Ortiz, 31. "He asked for a co-worker all the time - they wouldn't give him anyone to help. It was unsafe."
jlauinger@nydailynews.com
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