Tonight Punta Gorda Town is still reeling after a weekend murder that sparked outrage in the southern town, and even a spontaneous protest against a random act of indiscriminate violence.
It happened early on Saturday morning when an active community member and mother was fatally shot and killed just a stone's throw away from her home. Jomarie Lanza went south today and she has this report.
To the people who knew her she was the life of the party. An outgoing soul with a deep love for her community. No one could have predicted, not even her own mother could believe that Dana was shot and killed while coming home from their cousin's wake that morning.
Pietra Jacobs, Mother of Deceased
"So we decided to go to the wake, like for a two hours, and it rained that night so I decided to come home and I left Dana there and she walked to come home but she stopped by one of her cousins house. When she stopped by her cousin's house it looked like her boyfriend had called her and asked her where she was. And she said to Iranys and he followed. But it looks like when he left the wake the gunman went behind him not knowing that it looks like he waited around and then he probably trailed them cause she was tired. They wanted to go somewhere else to have a drink but Dana told the young lady she wanted to go home because she is sleepy. And that's when the gunman just trail and follow them and shot her."
"So like between wake and sleep I get the call and when I get the call the person say Pietra come they just shot pooch and Dana and Dana died. And that same time my son and granddaughter heard so we all started bawling in the house."
But was Dana the main target in this unfortunate incident? Jacobs says that her daughter never mentioned having trouble with anyone in the community, but instead was an active member organizing events, dance groups and pageants whenever the occasion would arise.
Pietra Jacobs, Mother of Deceased
"I would say then maybe she was at the wrong place at the wrong time or I don't know how because I don't know my daughter to be a person that has problems with anyone. She has never told me that she has problems with somebody so I don't know what really transpired to that."
"She is an activist in this community at this court here where we are right now Hollywood court she would have carnival practice she would have Hollywood Queen. Right now she was getting prepared for the 21st to have a float so she would walk Friday, when she worked half the day. I would ask where is Dana? And Dana is at different offices and different business places asking for donation because she has a float so the float will still continue on the 21st we will still have the float in honor of her."
Even her best friend, teary eyed, spoke highly of her and the remarkable person that she was.
Vernesa Santos. Best Friend of Deceased
"Dana was a legend in the Hollywood and the day before she died her and I went to the Children's rally parade and we spent that entire day together. We were also going around for donations for the float that we will still be doing on the 21st of September."
"It really hurt me you know because Dana is like a sister to me and when you see Dana you see me. She left a pain in my heart and the gunman who took my best friend, my childhood sister. It's just hard for me and the community for knee high Hollywood."
It is clear that the community has lost a vital individual within its society, It appears that everyone knew Dana for her friendly and selfless capabilities.
Allen Nunez, Friend of Deceased
"I've always known her to be a very jovial friendly person and full of life, always laughing and having fun with her friends and family. That's one thing she value her family. If you look on her post, she is always posting one of her friend's birthday or family. She values her family a lot, loves her child and she is always active in the community - always around any celebration, any function that has to do with fund raising for an event. She goes above and beyond what is ask of her to do and that's just the kind of person she is. She was an activist, she was very outspoken - Dana was one of the, for me an example of a powerful woman who knows what life is all about and want to see better for the future for the youths and everybody on a whole."
And though the family cannot seem to narrow down the cause behind this tragedy. The authorities say that 22 year old Gustavo Mendez, allegedly Dana's boyfriend, was the intended target of this shooting. And the gunman Fibriel Savala is wanted by police
ACP Hilberto Romero, Office Commanding Eastern Division
"Yes we have issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Fibriel Savala - who is wanted for this murder. He had a conflict with Gustavo Mendez and that is the motive we have established for this murder. Gustavo Mendez apparently was the intended target."
Jules Vasquez
"Is the suspect a sort fo known criminal or does he have any gang affiliations?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, Office Commanding Eastern Division
"Yes, he is known in Punta Gorda, he is known to us, and we're looking for him. The information is that he may have left the district and may be in the Cayo area."
Jules Vasquez
"Being that a warrant has been issued, he is being sought pending a charge of murder and attempted murder?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, Office Commanding Eastern Division "That is correct."
Gonzalez leaves behind a ten year old daughter.
Gustavo Mendez remains in a stable condition.
