Community part of healing for drive-by victim's family

Intermountain Catholic

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Mari Menchaca's picture is part of the shrine her family and friends made to remember her. She died in a drive-by shooting on the sidewalk of her home in Glendale, July 6. IC photo by Priscilla Cabral

GLENDALE — Maria del Carmen Menchaca or Mari, as her family and friends called her, died in a drive-by shooting by alleged gang members on Sunday, July 6. On that day, Mari and her parents were at a neighbor’s party when she decided to return home to look for her older brother. While she was on the sidewalk outside her house, four young people drove-by in a black SUV and one of them shot the bullet that would end the 7 year old girl’s life.

On the following Wednesday, her family, friends and neighbors gathered around a couple of Mari’s pictures, toys, and flowers to pray the rosary for nine days. On the last day of the novena, before the praying started, her father could not speak a word about her without teary eyes and said he would not talk about what happened. But after reflecting on the five sorrowful mysteries, he decided to share his story.

"I have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. On Wednesday (before the shooting), I took my children out to eat. Then, I took them to the cemetery to visit their cousin. My little girl was very happy, laughing and running on the grass. I never imagined that in exactly a week I would be burying her in that same spot, next to her cousin," said Gilberto Menchaca.

Rafael Menchaca, Mari’s uncle, lives in the same house and said some young people came in early on that Sunday yelling death threats to Luis, his nephew and Mari’s cousin. They came back later with a gun and shot it. Mari was not the intended target.

"You relive everything," said Rafael referring to another family tragedy. His son is the cousin Mari is buried next to at Elysian Burial Gardens. "We were in Mexico on vacation and that’s where he was kidnapped and murdered," he said.

Mari’s death not only impacted her family. The way she died at a young age has the community mourning as well.

"This life should not have been extinguished. They stole her life, her dreams," said Father Eugenio Yarce, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.

Among Mari’s aspirations was to be a doctor. "We already had a bank account for her," said her father, who will miss her every time he gets home from work. "She would come down the stairs, open the door, hug me, and then give me a kiss."

"She was very loving. Everyone loved her and people would tell me, ‘What a pretty girl. She looks like a doll,’" said her mother María Campos.

During this time of suffering, the Menchacas have found comfort in people’s company. "We are very thankful with every one who has approached us. We will never forget it. Everything is in our hearts," said her father.

Fr. Yarce said Mari’s family will need the support of the Catholic Church as a community, especially when time passes. "The days will go by and they will start to feel the absence of their loved one. Everyone else will go on with their regular paths; this is when you’ll need to visit, talk to, and be with them."

This is not the first time Fr. Yarce has had to celebrate Mass for someone who has had a tragic or violent death. In January of this year, 15 year-old Diego Mendoza was murdered near the taco stands on 900 South and State Street.

"I am human and my soul is in pain. But the priest is a symbol of hope and strength. He represents the Catholic Church, which tells you that it embraces your suffering and that you are not alone," said Fr. Yarce.

The Menchaca family, the community, and Fr. Yarce celebrated Mass on Tuesday, July 8. The Gospel that night was about the special place children have in the kingdom of God: "Let them come to me." Fr. Yarce also celebrated a Mass the next day outside the Menchaca house, where Mari died. There, he took advantage of the presence of young community members to invite them to "live more like brothers and sisters and to become a sign of love and unity."

He also mentioned that "during Mass I usually give a message of hope and a couple of Sundays later, I confront the community with a direct message."

The defendants in the death of Mari Menchaca are 20 year-old Frank Puga Benavidez, and 16 year-olds Gabriel Alejandro Alvarez and Mae Goodman Johnson. The fourth passenger was not considered to be involved in the shooting.

Johnson has been charged with a first-degree felony count of murder and obstructing justice. Benavidez and Alvarez could face the death penalty for killing a child under the age of 14 in compliance with a 2007 law. But Alvarez is ineligible for execution because he is a minor.

Mari’s parents say they do not want Benavidez to die. "Let God take care of them. But they shouldn’t get out (of jail) so they won’t hurt another family because they don’t know how it feels. I don’t wish them wrong," said her mother.

Fr. Yarce said this is "a generous act because they respect life amidst their grief, and even though the life of their daughter was not respected." He added that for the defendants he wants a "just sentence."

On Thursday, July 31, the defendants’ lawyers were granted more time to compile information. Benavidez, Alvarez, and Johnson will be in court September 29 for a scheduling conference.