Joe Melgoza, 30, died in the early hours of Sunday after suffering blunt force trauma to his head, the City of Chino Police Department said. The victim was attending a backyard wedding reception at his sister’s home on Saturday night and died protecting guests, NBC4 reported.

Police confirmed officers responded to the 13300 block of Oaks Avenue early on Sunday morning and met a “large crowd from a nearby wedding party.”

Officials said they located the male victim in the backyard of another residence and began life-saving efforts. Melgoza was transported to the Chino Valley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

He is survived by his 11-year-old daughter and new wife, who was not named by police.

Law enforcement said the two suspects did not personally know Melgoza but live in the area. They had returned to the scene of the wedding reception after being asked to leave for turning up uninvited, NBC4 reported.

The brothers were identified as Rony Aristides Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and Josue Daniel Castaneda Ramirez, 19, according to KTLA. Their mugshots were posted to Facebook by the local police yesterday. The department’s website was offline at the time of publication.

A GoFundMe campaign for funeral costs has raised more than $4,800.

It said: “Joe Melgoza was brutally murdered on the evening of his wedding, he was taken from us. Joe was a loving son, brother, father, cousin, partner, family member and friend.

“He always had a way to make you smile. He was there for you at anytime to give a helping hand. He was taken from us in such a tragic and horrific way. He leaves behind his daughter… who will be in good hands with Joe’s family. We are asking for your support in this time.

The page added: “Joe’s mom is devastated, heartbroken and is having a hard time processing it all. The two criminals that did this horrible act have been arrested and are in custody. Justice will be served! Please keep the family in your prayers and every little bit helps with donations.”

Speaking to NBC4, emotional family members wept while describing what happened. “My brother did not deserve to die like that,” said Andy Velasquez, the victim’s sibling.

“Those cowards came back with bats,” he continued. “They were in the alley and it was dark… my brother tried to go get them. They pulled him into the house and they killed him… my brother was protecting his family, they came and they murdered my brother… they took him from us.”

In a brief statement published to social media yesterday, the Chino Police Department said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved.” The investigation remains ongoing.