Family heartbroken after mother of two killed in Fresno shooting

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Heartbroken and torn, the family of a Fresno woman murdered pleading with the person who killed their loved one.

Angelita Mendez, 22, was in the car with her boyfriend and two kids when shots were fired through the window Saturday afternoon.

Her mother Amy Mendez is holding on to the little strength she has left after her daughter was shot and killed near Abby Street and Highway 180. A car opened fire on Mendez's boyfriend and the mom, whom family called Angel, striking her in the head. Angelita's boyfriend recovered, but she didn't.

"She didn't do nothing, she just wanted to take care of her babies and be a good mom," Amy said. "It was her boyfriend's only day off, so they spent the day together."

Angelita's family says she was a young mom who worked hard to care for her children.

"She loved everything," Amy said tearfully. "Working, cooking, loved to bake."

Fresno Police say that in an attempt to get away from the suspect, Mendez's boyfriend took off in the Chrysler 300. He drove three miles to Marks and Nielson Avenues and flagged down the SUV behind them for help.

Angelita's grandmother Peggy says the shooting has already traumatized her great granddaughter who, at just 5-years-old, witnessed something no child should ever see.

"She goes I hid under the seat because I was scared," Amy said. "She goes, I was so scared for the baby so she's going to be traumatized with this silly, silly person who did this."

The family tells Action News they are thankful for the two women who went out of their way to keep Angelita's two little girls safe, and now they are hoping the person responsible for bringing harm to their loved one will surrender to police.

"Turn yourself in," Peggy said. "You did something way wrong, you took somebody's life and made these two girls orphans."

The family set up a GoFundMe account for funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/prydrsf8