ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The family of George Marcelline held a memorial for the 78-year-old hit-and-run victim Friday, on the same day they learned that the man responsible for Marcelline’s death says he did it intentionally.

"If it was intentional, I hope the Lord deals with him and I hope he gets his, 'cause...that's just wrong," said Joseph Yackle, Marcelline's Nephew.

Marcelline's family members say "Uncle Joe" as they called him, couldn't have been more innocent: he was out before dawn last Saturday morning for the walk prescribed by his doctor when an SUV swerved onto the sidewalk . Witnesses say the SUV driver, 36-year- old Dionisio Roxas Molina, mowed down several street signs, barely missed several people, and finally struck and killed Marcelline, who couldn't jump out of the way.

Initially Alameda Police said Molina told them he was taking a prescription drug and couldn't remember what he had done. Today police confirmed Molina now says he had just broken up with his girlfriend and went on a deliberate killing spree with his car. Molina also tried to hit a second person, according to investigators.

"It was determined that it was not a hit-and-run. It was an event; he meant to hit the people, so it was a purposeful event," said Capt. Mike Noonan of the Alameda Police Dept.

The charges against Molina have now changed from manslaughter to murder, but that's little consolation to the family of his victim who are still struggling with the sudden death of Marcelline, a life-long Alameda resident and long-time Oakland A's and Raiders fan.

"We really do feel for the perpetrator's family we hope that there's nothing intentional it's just something that happened, we're just gonna move on with our lives and remember uncle Joe in a good way," said Howard Yackle, Marcelline’s god son. The family is planning a vigil tonight at the scene of the hit and run.

As for the suspect, Molina appeared before a judge today who set an arraignment hearing for next Friday. In addition to possible charges of murder, attempted murder and felony DUI, Molina faces two counts of battery on a police officer, said Alameda police Lt. Arturo Fuentes said.

Fuentes said Molina appeared to be intoxicated when he was arrested last Saturday. When officers arrived, Molina had stopped the car. He was arrested without incident, initially on charges of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter. Police said the crime scene extended about half a mile.

On Wednesday, after admitting to the crimes, he attacked two officers.

It does not appear that Molina knew either of the people he targeted, police reported.