A mother-of-three was shot and killed during a shootout while driving one of her daughters to get ready for prom in the Dallas area.
Ana Moreno, 39, was hit by a bullet that entered her vehicle around 4pm Saturday at a shopping center in Pleasant Grove, Texas.
Police believe two vehicles in the area were shooting at each other when the stray bullets went flying and struck Moreno and three other males.
The mother later died at the hospital from her injuries, FOX 4 reported.
‘She was so excited to see her get ready for prom. She was excited for everything,’ Moreno’s daughter Michelle Rodriguez said. ‘She was so excited for us to graduate, that’s all she wanted.’
39-year-old mother of three Ana Moreno was shot and killed during a shootout while driving one of her daughters to get ready for prom in the Dallas area
‘She was so excited to see her get ready for prom. She was excited for everything,’ Moreno’s daughter Michelle (left) said. ‘She was so excited for us to graduate, that’s all she wanted’
VIDEO: Ana Moreno’s 18-year-old daughter was riding in her vehicle with her when she was shot-and-killed, Saturday. She was preparing for prom. Her mother, an innocent bystander, was killed as people in two cars shot at each other, according to @DallasPD. More on @FOX4 News at 9. https://t.co/mfQiJsUnzz pic.twitter.com/FfwOEzzXF1
— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) May 14, 2023
Investigators believe two vehicles in the area were shooting at each other when the stray bullets went flying and struck Moreno and three other males
It’s currently unclear whether the three males who were taken to the hospital were also bystanders or if they were involved in the shootout.
The three men were still in hospital in a critical condition and no suspects have been taken into custody as of Sunday evening.
Moreno’s family held a balloon release Sunday afternoon and commemorated the devoted mother to two young girls and a boy.
‘It’s hard. I just still can’t believe it,’ said Amy Rodriguez, Moreno’s other daughter who was in the passenger seat of the car when the shots rang out.
‘Just really loud gunshots and really close, really close to us,’ she told FOX4.
‘In that moment, the woman’s daughter said she didn’t care about anything except her mother being alive.
‘I didn’t care about prom. I didn’t care about anything. I just wanted her to be OK.’
The young girl said she told her mother to keep driving but that her mom didn’t respond and did not move.
‘Well, she fell on me, and when I looked at her I seen blood, and I knew,’ she recalled. Their vehicle ultimately crashed and Rodriguez exited the car screaming for help.
‘Well, she fell on me, and when I looked at her I seen blood, and I knew,’ Amy Rodriguez (right) recalled of the moments after her mom was shot in their vehicle
The woman’s family held a balloon release Sunday afternoon and commemorated the devoted mother to two young girls and a boy
It’s currently unclear whether the three males who were taken to the hospital were also bystanders or if they were involved in the shootout
One witness, who spoke with the local outlet, described the horrific scene he stumbled upon when he saw the young girl running around.
‘She looked panicked. She was trying to get somebody to help her mom. She was scared,’ witness Jacob Faz said.
Faz was out with his wife and said they tried to help the mother but that there was nothing they could do.
‘She wasn’t breathing. I checked for a pulse,’ he told FOX 4.
Michelle, who’s one year younger than her sister Amy, said their mother meant the world to them that their lives will never be the same without her.
‘She didn’t deserve it. She didn’t,’ Michelle said.
Amy, Michelle, and their other family members are now coming together to honor their lost loved one and grieve her death.
‘It’s going to get better eventually,’ Amy said tearfully.
‘She didn’t deserve it. She didn’t,’ Michelle said of her mother
The shooting took place near this gas station on Bruton Road and Masters Drive
Michelle, who’s one year younger than her sister Amy, said their mother meant the world to them that their lives will never be the same without her
Moreno’s family has launched a GoFundMe account to help cover funeral expenses.
‘With heavy hearts we share that Ana was suddenly taken away from us due to gun violence,’ the description of the fundraiser reads.
‘We want to thank everyone who has reached out to us with condolences. We will appreciate everyone’s help in putting Ana to rest,’ it continued.
The fundraiser has a $15,000 goal and has raised just over $5,000 as of Sunday.