Fundraiser Held For Ft. Lauderdale Man Shot By Friend On NYE

PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4)- PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4)- Broward's jiu-jitsu community came together and held a fundraiser for Reza Payan, who police say was shot and killed by a friend last week at a New Year's Eve party.

"He was a gem," said Vagner Rocha, Payan's friend. "You don't meet people like him and he was the kind of guy you meet once and you never forget."

The two met about 10 years ago at the Brazilian Jui-Jitsu Center of Pembroke Pines.

What started out as a rivalry blossomed into a close friendship between the two.

Still reeling from his friend's death, Rocha and other held the fundraiser at the Jiu-Jitsu Center to try and show support to the wife and 20-month-old daughter than Payan left behind.

"I just wanted people to come and to feel the pain that we feel," said Rocha.
According to Fort Lauderdale Police Det. Travis Mandell, Reza Payan, 36, was shot by Ronald Melnik, 38 after the two began an argument.

The shooting happened at Rocha's home, where their families were celebrating the New Year. Mendell said Payan thought Melnik had been drinking too much at the party, and told Melnik he should go home.

When Payan offered to give him a ride, Melnik apparently pulled out a gun and shot the would-be Good Samaritan.

"He (Melnick) didn't shoot him once," recalled Rocha. "He opened fire on him like he was an animal or something."
Mendell said Payan was taken to Broward General Medical Center, where he died.

Police said Melnik turned himself in, and has been charged with murder.

Earlier this week, a funeral and burial service was held in his hometown of Baltimore.