Call from son may have led father to his death
Asher son was Azulay’s doctor “the pride of his life” and if his son ever needed anything, he was quick to run right over, Asher Azulay’s employer said Monday.
It’s that willingness to meet his son’s every need that may have brought Asher Azulay, 67, to his death.
Rafael Azulay, 43, had called his father Saturday morning and asked him to come to his Weston home to help him find the charger for his electronic ankle monitor, an arrest affidavit said. The younger Azulay wore the monitor as a condition of his release while awaiting trial on a domestic battery allegation made by his girlfriend, records show.
When Asher Azulay arrived at 3204 Islewood Ave., his son had a handgun. He tried to disarm him, the affidavit said, but was shot in the neck.
As deputies arrived on scene, they heard and saw Rafael Azulay shoot himself in the stomach, the affidavit said.
Asher Azulay, of Pembroke Pines, died at the home.
Rafael Azulay remains hospitalized in critical condition at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
Taped to the walls throughout Rafael Azulay’s home were hand-written letters that said “do not resuscitate,” the affidavit said.
Yitzie Spalter, owner of South Florida Kosher Meats on Northeast 163rd Street in North Miami, on Monday spoke fondly of the older Azulay who had worked for the last eight years as a chef and manager of the kitchen at Spalter’s market.
“He was a very cheery, happy, go-lucky person,” Spalter said. “Customers loved him. People knew if he wasn’t there for a day; they were looking for him. He brought such positivity. He became part of our family.”
There was zero hostility or dysfunction between father and son, Spalter said.
“He used to praise his son every day,” Spalter said. “He’s the pride of his life … it’s a mystery what happened. It’s just a big shock.”
tealanez@sun-sentinel.com, 954-356-4542 or Twitter @talanez