57-year-old randomly attacked, killed on Raleigh trail had just become a grandfather, family says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- An investigation is underway after a man was attacked in broad daylight while riding his bicycle along a Raleigh greenway Thursday afternoon.

The assault happened just after 12 p.m. on the Walnut Creek Trail near S. Saunders Street, according to a news release from Raleigh Police Department. Officers said they found a man on the greenway with serious injuries. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he later died.

Friday morning, Raleigh police officers identified the man as Chauncey Weinkoop Depew Jr. Depew was 57.

Depew's grieving family declined to speak on camera, but they released the following statement to ABC11.

"Chauncey "Chip" Weinkoop Depew Jr. was a loving and caring father and recent grandfather. Chip was an avid sportsman who loved to cycle, kayak, and photograph wildlife. He found peace in solitude, keeping mostly to himself and his immediate family. In sum, he lived a quiet and uncomplicated life. For these reasons, our family is unable to comprehend this random act of violence in the town we have called home for nearly 30 years."

Raleigh Police Department said it does not have a description of the person who killed Depew. Anyone with information that could help officers crack the case is asked to contact the Raleigh Police Department at (919) 834-4357.

On Friday, officers were back at the trail searching for evidence that could help them in the case.

NC State student Connor McCollumn was also on the trail. He said what happened is very concerning to him.

"I figured with quarantine it's a nice little activity to do. I thought it was safe activity to do," McCollumn said of walking the greenway. "Not sure I want to do it on my own anymore."

Megan McClaugherty and her fiancee, Andrea Bonvecchio, just moved to Raleigh and cycled on the greenway for the first time Friday.

"It's kind of scary and it makes you reconsider wanting to come out here," McClaugherty said.

"When you move to Raleigh you kind of hear about the greenway, and it's attractive to the city and everything, but for something like that to happen, it's really scary," Bonvecchio said.