Rest in peace Jessica Joven dies after undergoing!

The city was shaken to its core on Monday evening after the tragic death of 20-year-old Mariana Gómez, who was killed by a stray bullet during a violent shooting on Fifth Street. What began as a normal, busy evening in one of the city’s liveliest districts turned into chaos within seconds. Two people were left dead—including Mariana, an innocent bystander whose life ended just as it was beginning.

According to police reports, the shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. in a crowded neighborhood packed with shops and pedestrians. Mariana was walking along the street, reportedly on her way to submit a résumé for a job she had been hoping to land. It was supposed to be a small but hopeful step toward independence and stability. Instead, it became the last walk of her life.

Witnesses said a group of armed men approached a local merchant in what appeared to be a targeted attack. Gunfire erupted suddenly, echoing off the walls of nearby storefronts. People screamed and scrambled for cover as bullets tore through the air. In the middle of the panic, Mariana was struck in the abdomen as she tried to shield herself.

Bystanders rushed to her aid, pressing their hands against her wound and pleading for help as sirens wailed in the distance. Within minutes, paramedics arrived and transported her to a nearby hospital. Despite desperate efforts from doctors, Mariana died shortly after arriving. Her death was confirmed at 6:12 p.m.—a moment that froze her family’s world forever.

Police believe the shooting was connected to an ongoing dispute between rival criminal groups operating in the area. The intended target, a local shop owner known to authorities, was also killed. Investigators are reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses in hopes of identifying the suspects, who fled the scene in a dark-colored vehicle. No arrests have yet been made.

For Mariana’s family, the news was devastating. Her mother, still in shock, told reporters that her daughter had been “so full of life and plans.” Mariana had recently completed a vocational program and had been searching for steady work to help support her younger siblings. Friends described her as kind, quiet, and determined—a young woman who dreamed of traveling, studying psychology, and one day owning her own business.

“She wasn’t in the wrong place,” her aunt said through tears. “She was just living her life.”

The community gathered the next evening for a candlelight vigil near the site of the shooting. Dozens of people stood in silence, clutching flowers and photos, while others prayed aloud. The sidewalk was covered in candles and handwritten notes: Justice for Mariana. You deserved more time.

City officials expressed outrage and frustration over the senseless violence. Local leaders have long warned about the growing number of shootings linked to gang rivalries in the area, where innocent residents too often become collateral damage. “We cannot keep losing young lives like this,” said Councilwoman Teresa Salinas. “Our city owes Mariana and every victim of gun violence the justice and safety they were denied.”

Social media lit up with tributes and anger. Friends shared photos of Mariana at family gatherings, volunteering at community events, and laughing with classmates. Hashtags demanding justice began trending within hours. For many, her death symbolized more than one tragedy—it was a reminder of how easily hope can be stolen in a city still struggling to control its violence.

As of Tuesday morning, police had increased patrols in the neighborhood and urged anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, Mariana’s family is preparing for her funeral, which will take place later this week at the local parish she attended as a child. Her mother said she plans to turn her daughter’s room into a small foundation office to help victims’ families navigate the aftermath of violent crimes.

“Mariana believed in helping people,” she said quietly. “If I can do that in her name, maybe a part of her will keep living.”

In the span of a few seconds, a young woman’s dreams were stolen, leaving behind a family forever changed and a city demanding answers. Her story is one of heartbreak—but also a call for action, so that no other mother has to stand where Mariana’s stands now, mourning a child who simply went out looking for a better life.