As he walked to his car that evening, two males tried to rob him.
"They announced a robbery and it appears that when he didn't move quick enough he was shot multiple times. He was taken to the hospital where he was then pronounced," said Capt. James Clarke of the Philadelphia Police Department.
This was one of over 300 murders in the city this year, the highest rate among America's 10 largest cities.
For Lugo's family this has been a sad and bitter holiday.
Through a translator, the victim's father told Action News that he is truly devastated by the loss but ultimately his hope is that authorities bring justice to those who killed his son.
Police believe the gunmen who killed Lugo reside somewhere in the South Philadelphia neighborhood but they need the public's help arrest them.
"We believe someone saw these two males running away. We believe they live in the area and we need someone to contact us," said Capt. Clarke.
Mayor Michael Nutter says the city has made major progress in fighting crime but the homicide rate jumped this year.
"It's still lower today than it was four years ago when I came into office, about a 17 percent drop. Those are lives saved and good police work but I'm not satisfied," said he said.
Mayor Nutter says 120 new cops will join the crime fight this summer, fresh out of the academy.
He'll also be emphasizing public safety and education when he is sworn in for a second term Monday.
