Platanillos victim had 'a lot of dreams'
http://www.insidenova.com/news/local/woodbridge/platanillos-victim-had-a-lot-of-dreams/article_8bcc1be4-9ca3-11e3-bf67-001a4bcf887a.html
Cesar Gonzalez met Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero in Mexico, as she was making her way from her native El Salvador to the United States.
“She was so strong and a smart person, with a lot of dreams,” Gonzalez said in an email late Saturday.
Coca-Romero, 21, came to the United States to make those dreams come true for herself, and for the baby girl she had with Gonzalez.
The dreams ended in 10 seconds Friday night, when three men – faces covered and dressed in black – walked into Platanillos Grocery and Jewelry, methodically gunned down Coca-Romero and a fellow employee, then fled.
Police say the three men took no property or cash when they walked into the store on U.S. 1 in Woodbridge, approached Coca-Romero and another employee and began firing.
Though detectives originally considered robbery a motive, now it’s unclear.
Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok said they don’t yet know if the employees were targeted. Another employee and a customer in the store at the time were not hurt.
Coca-Romera shared an apartment with the other victim, a 42-year-old woman who also emigrated from El Salvador, Gonzalez said. The second victim suffered life-threatening injuries, but is expected to survive.
Gonzalez said Coca-Romero was a great person and he can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her.
“She never said something about if she had any problem with somebody,” he said.
Gonzalez said he and Coca-Romera had plans to “form a family together” with their 9-month-old daughter Britny. He said he will “love her forever.”
Britny is in the care of family members, who are awaiting word on her body being released so that they can make funeral plans, Gonzalez said.
Police are asking the public’s help in tracking down Coca-Romero’s killers. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 703-670-3700.
Glenda Marisol Coca-Romero with her infant daughter, Britny, at Platanillos Grocery.
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