The mother of an Olympian was killed while she sat in her home in Connecticut over the weekend, according to the woman’s daughter and police.
Mabel Martinez, 56, was sewing when she was struck in the head by a stray bullet Saturday afternoon. She died Sunday.
The Associated Press reported that police believe Martinez was not the intended target. People, known convicted drug dealers, who had been sitting two cars outside of her Waterbury home were involved in a shootout. One of the men was shot in the leg and survived.
Martinez, the mother of Yarimar Mercado Martinez who is a rifle shooter on Puerto Rico’s Olympic team, was an innocent victim.
Mercado Martinez, 27, expressed her sorrow on social media.
“Why you? Why this way? You were just sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did,” she wrote on Facebook in Spanish.
She recalled how just two days before the shooting, she spoke to her mother.
“Two days ago you called me with excitement, asking me to save the date and help you prepare to renew your wedding vows with daddy in Puerto Rico.”
“I was so far away without being able to do anything, I couldn’t even say goodbye to you.”
Mercado Martinez, who had been in Brazil for a competition, flew to Connecticut late Sunday. On Monday she shared another post on social media.
She asked her mother for guidance.
“You taught me the motto ‘everything happens for something’ and I applied it in every difficult situation in my life. But, this time? this time I don’t know how to apply it mommy, can you help me please?”
The Olympian, who apologized to Puerto Rico for pulling out of the international competition, said she planned to bring her mother’s body home “so her friends and family can say goodbye.”
Police have found both cars and the owner of one of the vehicles. The other owner is being sought for questioning. So far no arrests have been made.
My heart is broken. Why is there so much senseless violence? This must stop.
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