Family remembers Selma woman killed in weekend shooting, seeks justice
SELMA, Calif. (KFSN) -- The family of a 32-year-old Selma woman killed in a weekend shooting is remembering her as a loving, generous person while calling for justice in the case.
Selma police say Mercedes Saldana was shot and killed during a dispute over the weekend. Authorities identified the suspect as 48-year-old Nicholas Salazar, who is in custody.
Saldana's sister, Daisy Mulligan, said the loss has devastated their family.
"I can't imagine someone wanting to take her from us. I will remember her as just always being so loving and kind," Mulligan said.
Mulligan said her family has faced loss before, but nothing comparable to the pain they are now experiencing.
"We have never endured so much pain, and we have gone through loss and we have always been tight-knit," she said.
She described her younger sister as a devoted aunt who was known for her generosity and positive attitude.
"This is my baby sister. This is my dad's everything. Mercedes was really a unique person. There's no other Mercedes out there," Mulligan said.
According to family members, Saldana loved animals and was passionate about her work as a barber. Mulligan said her sister often went out of her way to make children feel welcome.
"She has a whole bunch of toys, and if a kid were to come to get a haircut, she would give them a toy," Mulligan said.
Mulligan said she and her sister had also been helping care for their father, Jorge Saldana, after he was recently diagnosed with cancer. Family members said Mercedes and her father shared a particularly close bond.
Now, her father says he wants the person responsible to remain behind bars.
"So he doesn't harm any other families like it was done to me... so I ask for justice," Jorge Saldana said.
The family said a GoFundMe page has been created for those who would like to contribute toward funeral expenses. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Selma Police Department.
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