MICHOACÁN, MEXICO—A Watsonville mother of four was killed—and her sister critically injured—in a mass shooting in Michoacán, Mexico on March 28.
Melissa Silva was 36. She leaves behind four children, 20, 17, 12 and 10, two of whom attend Calabasas Elementary School. Her 16-year-old sister Arleth Silva is an Aptos High School student. Her family hopes to transport her to a hospital in the U.S.
The family says the women were on vacation in Mexico visiting relatives when the shooting occurred.
Arleth Silva was struck by five bullets, three in the lungs and two in her legs.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Alicia Jimenez said the district has no official statement about the incident, but said that officials have been in contact with the family, and are providing socio-emotional support for those that need it.
“We feel for the family, and it’s a horrible tragedy for Arleth to have lost her sister,” Jimenez said.
Melissa Silva was one of 20 people who died in the shooting, which occurred during an illegal cockfight after the shooters blocked exits with their vehicles, multiple media sources have reported.
Silva’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help defray medical and funeral expenses. Nearly 400 people have donated a little more than $20,000.
Attempts to reach Silva’s family were not successful as of Monday afternoon.
