A 58-year-old man died after being hit by a stray bullet inside his New Haven home, and police are investigating the shooting as a homicide, authorities say.

Police received a 911 call Sunday about gunfire at Valley and Strong streets. Moments later, a woman called at 1:50 a.m. saying that her husband had been shot.

When police responded they found Darryl McNair shot inside his Strong Street home.

Police say the man was apparently struck by a stray bullet inside an office area in his basement while he was by his computer. Investigators do not believe McNair was the intended target and police said that it appears he was "an innocent bystander."

Medical personnel treated him on scene and he was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

Police have not identified any suspects at this point.

A friend of the family of McNair says that he was playing solitaire in his office when he was shot.

“He was on the computer playing solitaire," David Harrell, a family friend, said. "And then a whole bunch of gunshots went off and he said he was hit and called for family. When they got there, he was laying on the ground.”

Harrell said that McNair was a good, working, family man.

"It's senseless that someone had to lose his life over someone else's stupidity," Harrell said.



Hours before the shooting, friends and family were at McNair's home celebrating his birthday. He turned 58 on Sunday.

“Not even three hours ago he was dancing in the street," McNair's stepdaughter, Chandra Costin told NBC Connecticut. "I said, 'look at him.' He was enjoying himself. Now he's gone. What do we do? Where do we go?”

No arrests have been made.

Costin had a message for the shooter.

"I forgive them, but the problem is I need for the people to step up," Costin said. "I want whoever did this to turn themselves in."

Forensic investigators are reviewing ballistic evidence collected at the scene.

Police ask anyone with information on the shooting to contact the New Haven Police Department's Major Crimes Unit at 203-946-6304.