Family members are mourning the deaths of a Texas mother and daughter who were shot and killed on Thursday in a city close to Waco.
According to law enforcement sources, a gunman who has not been named shot and murdered five people in McGregor, Texas, early on Thursday.
Lori and Natalie Aviles were recognised as two of the fatalities late on Thursday night.
According to a statement on a GoFundMe website, Natalie, 20, and Lori, 47, were “innocent victims in an act of gun violence,” according to the family. Just over $14,000 has been raised on the website.
Olivia Olvera, a family member, said on social media that Lori and Natalie were shot to death by a “cowardly male” who lived “next door.”
The fundraiser’s creators said, “Our precious sweet Lori & Natalie have been called home to celebrate with our Lord & Savior.” This GoFundMe is for anyone who wants to contribute toward any costs.
Additionally, the GoFundMe requests prayers for Lori’s two kids, Ezra and Zion, who escaped the incident unharmed.
Following the murder, another family member, Ashley Sanchez, posted on Facebook that her cousin and aunt will be missed and that life “won’t be the same” without them.
‘I am still in shock and disbelief. They did not deserve to have this happen to them and I’ll never understand why. Two people that loved God, their family, and friends. Natalie was a beautiful young girl, full of life, following her dreams of becoming a doctor…always had a smile on her face,’ the family member stated.
According to Ashley, Natalie was hoping to follow in the footsteps of her mom, a nurse who worked at a hospital in the area. She had dreams of becoming a pediatrician.
‘Lori was a beautiful and amazing woman that has achieved much in her life and was great at loving and taking care of those around her, especially at the hospital where she worked,’ Ashley wrote in a tribute.
The tragedy occurs nearly two years to the day after Mike Aviles, Lori’s husband and the father of the children, passed away from colon cancer in October 2020.
According to Natalie’s Facebook profile, her father’s struggle with cancer inspired her to join the fight to raise awareness of colorectal cancer.
To raise funds and awareness for colorectal cancer after Mike’s passing, the family started an annual walk.
Both Lori and Natalie were very active members of the Bethlehem Christian Church, their local church.
Sgt. Ryan Howard of the Texas Department of Public Safety told DailyMail.com that they are waiting to reveal the identity of the remaining victims until they are certain that the relatives of every victim have been located.
