Luis and Jennabel Anaya and Carina Mancera. Go Fund Me.
A California woman and her 4-year-old daughter were shot to death on a Long Beach street.
The shooting was witnessed by Carina Mancera’s long-time boyfriend, Luis Anaya, The Los Angeles Times said.
Jennabel Anaya, who was 4, is Luis Anaya’s daughter, The Times said. Carina Mancera was 26. A police press release said the shooting occurred at 10:20 p.m. on Aug. 6, a Saturday.
“The adult victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by Long Beach Fire Department personnel,” the release said. “The second victim, a 4-year-old girl, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced deceased” on Sunday.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Anayas Were Returning Home From The Grocery Store When a Man Shot The Two Females, Luis Says
Jennabel Ayana and Carina Mancera. (Facebook/Carina Mancera)
Luis Anaya says the three were walking home from the grocery store when a man “stepped out of the darkness near the corner of Locust Avenue and East 9th Street,” KTLA says.
KTLA says police initially described the shooting as a “drive-by” but now were saying it was not but had not released any information about motive or suspects.
2. Luis Anaya Says The Suspect Shot at Him Too But Missed
A photo that Luis Anaya posted on Facebook. (Facebook/Luis Anaya)
Luis told The Los Angeles Times that the shooter had his face covered and he locked eyes with him.
“I couldn’t make his face,” he said, according to The Los Angeles Times. “When I tried to look at him, he shot at me.”
A Go Fund Me site set up to help the family has raised more than $15,000. It says, “Father of 4 year old Jenna and husband to Carina is seeking your help to support both families going through this hard time. Carina and Jenna were murdered Saturday night outside of their home. Our family is heartbroken with this tragic event, and we hope that you can help us in this time of need.”
The site concludes by citing a Bible verse: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4.”
3. Jennabelle’s Grandmother Talked to The Dying Child On The Phone
A family photo that Luis posted on Facebook. (Facebook/Luis Anaya)
A neighbor, Robert Navarro, said he heard Anaya screaming so loudly that he rushed to see what was going on.
He ran into the intersection and found “Anaya desperately trying to comfort the mortally wounded mother and daughter,” The Los Angeles Times said.
“The baby … she still had her eyes open,” Navarro told the newspaper. “He was trying to comfort her by calling the grandmother and the grandmother spoke to the baby on the phone.”
4. Emotional Family Members Rushed to The Scene
Luis Anaya with his daughter, Jennabel. (Facebook/Luis Anaya)
Friends and family of the victims rushed to the scene of the shooting, KNBC said, adding that Mancera’s mother was repeatedly crying “Why?” in Spanish.
The police press release says “The preliminary investigation determined the two victims and the child’s father had just arrived home, and were walking to their nearby residence where they lived together, when the shooting occurred.”
5. Jennabel Was in Preschool & Loved to Sing & Dance
Luis Anaya and Carina Mancera. (Facebook/Luis Anaya)
Jennabel’s preschool teacher described the little girl as a “happy” child who lived to sing and dance.
The child was shot one time, but her mother was shot multiple times, said KTLA, which added that a makeshift memorial was now at the site of the double shooting.