Four Children Dead in Shooting Tragedy
On the night of June 11th, four children lost their lives in a horrible shooting tragedy. The children were held hostage during a 24-hour standoff. At this time, the family is requesting privacy as they grieve their loss.
We are doing what we can to help them through this tragic time and to raise funds for funeral expenses. Any contributions from the community will be greatly appreciated. You can help support Ciara and her family by contributing to the following GoFundMe campaign:
https://www.gofundme.com/2dter2-funeral-expenses
***Update: June 13, 2018
I am so grateful for the outpouring of support for the mother of these precious children, taken far too soon. Our financial goal for the GoFundMe campaign has been exceeded by nearly $10,000– thanks to your support and generous donations. All of the money will go directly to the mother to pay for funeral expenses, grief counseling, and to help her get back on her feet. We will continue to update you – and thank you, again for your support. The GoFundMe account is still open. Please continue to share and help us spread the word. Additional updates will be provided at https://www.777injury.com/.
** Some donors have asked if me or my law firm will be receiving a portion of the GoFundMe campaign donations as attorneys’ fees, and I can tell you that not one cent will go to me or my law firm. I am doing this solely for Ciara and the family. Her father (the children’s grandfather) is a dear friend of our’s, and our building maintenance contractor.**
– Walter Benenati
***Update: June 13, 2018 @ 3:30pm
Today, I met with the mother (Ciara Lopez), whose children were tragically taken from her on the night of June 11th in a horrible shooting tragedy. ‘I am heartbroken and feel completely alone,’ she told me today. She is grieving considerably and is surrounded by loving family and friends at this time. “The pain comes from having her children in her life one day and then gone the next.”
I spoke to the mother and she wants to share photos of the family so they can be remembered as being loving, wonderful children, full of life. Photos are a powerful medium. Chief Mina stated in a press conference today to not share these photos with the public. However, the family has given permission for us to do so in remembrance of the children in the happiest of times, doing what they loved most while here on earth.
As a parent, it is unfathomable to imagine this tragedy. The family is requesting privacy and not considering any legal action at this time. We will continue to update you on her progress through the GoFundMe account set up for her and on our firm’s website https://www.777injury.com.
We will notify you of a funeral date and any other details. Thank you for your continued support.
– Walter Benenati
The Benenati Law Firm
***Update, June 19, 2018 @ 1:30pm EDT
The family is continuing to grieve considerably and coming to the realization that the children are not coming home. A private visitation will be held this week for immediate family.
There will be a funeral mass held on Saturday, June 23rd at St. James Catholic Cathedral Church (215 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801) in downtown Orlando at 12 noon to honor the lives of the children. This will be open to the public, to offer their prayers and condolences. But please understand that parking and space will be limited.
We are forever grateful for your outpouring of support for Ciara, and invite you to share in this day with us, celebrating the lives of these beautiful children.
Statement from the Family in Response to the released 911 Calls:
It is clearly evident that in the recently released 911 call placed by Ciara Lopez on June 11th at 11:43 p.m. that she had been physically assaulted and was in a state of terror, in fear for her children’s lives at this point.