A former Perth Amboy man will bury his oldest son, killed in N.Y., who he said, "was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Elwin Coste, 17, formerly of Perth Amboy, who was killed Saturday in N.Y. PERTH AMBOY -- Edwin Coste, 36, can't believe that tomorrow he's burying his oldest son, Elwin, 17.
"I'm in shock," Coste said. "My son was goofy. He had a great sense of humor. He loved music. He had so many friends."
Elwin Coste was shot to death in the Bronx, N.Y. early Saturday morning where he, his mother, Janet, his brother and a friend were visiting his sick grandfather.
"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Edwin Coste said. There have been no arrests yet.
Edwin Coste had custody of his son and lives in Hamilton, where he moved from Perth Amboy nine years ago. Elwin's mother lives in Harrisburg, Pa. and Elwin was visiting with her for several weeks, on vacation, according to the father.
"He went to the Bronx with his mother, brother and a friend to see his grandfather who was sick," Edwin Coste said. "They arrived late Friday and had just come back from a restaurant."
Elwin and his friend left the residence on Tiffany Street near East 165th Street in Foxhurst, Bronx, N.Y. and about five minutes later were struck by a hail of bullets, according to published reports and Coste.
Elwin and his friend were shot multiple times. Elwin died later at the hospital. His friend, who was not identified, was left in critical condition.
"My son was a great kid," Coste said. "He loved music. He had a passion for music. He wanted to make that his career."
He said the teenager graduated in March from the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy, operated by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
"My son was really happy," Coste said. "He was the life of the party."
The viewing is tonight from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Novak Funeral Home at 419 Barclay Street in Perth Amboy. The funeral is at the funeral home Friday morning.
The family has established a GoFundMe page with a goal to raise $12,000. It has raised $5,300 so far.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.