A tragic incident unfolded in Oakland, California, as Maria Guadalupe Ramos Velasco, a 33-year-old mother of eight from Los Angeles, was fatally shot on August 7th. The unfortunate event occurred near the intersection of Hilton Street and Bancroft Avenue around 2:20 p.m.
Reports suggest that earlier that day, Maria and her mother, Blanca Velasco, noticed a parked Toyota near their residence. They suspected that the occupants of the vehicle were selling marijuana vape pens to one of Maria's children. Determined to address the situation, the pair decided to approach the vehicle and request the sellers to cease their visits.
Accompanied by her mother in a Toyota RAV4, Maria confronted the suspects in the parked vehicle. Allegedly, she discharged pepper spray into the back of the suspect's vehicle. Tragically, a 16-year-old suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed due to being a minor, responded by fatally shooting Maria.
Following the shooting, the suspect pointed the firearm at Blanca Velasco, who managed to drive away but returned to find her daughter lying on the ground. Isaiah Gomez, 19, was charged by prosecutors as an accessory to the crime.
Maria's mother, Blanca Velasco, made a heartfelt attempt to revive her daughter, urging her to breathe and emphasizing the importance of her presence for her eight children. Maria, who had struggled with drug addiction in the past, leaves behind seven daughters aged between 1 and 16, along with a 7-year-old son.
Expressing grief and a call for change, Maria's aunt, Maria Del Carmen Beltran, emphasized the need for a shift in the community's lifestyle. A GoFundMe page titled 'María Guadalupe Ramos Velasco family' has been set up to support Maria's children and alleviate the financial strain on the Ramos family.
Describing Maria as a source of joy, love, and kindness, the GoFundMe page aims to honor her memory and provide her with a deserving farewell. The community is rallying together to support the family during this difficult time.
