Brenda Romero's family pleads for answers as police search for the killer of the 20-year-old Santa Ana woman.
"The family is devastated, especially mom and dad. She was the second youngest of our family. She was very very loved by a lot of people," said Jose Romero, Brenda's brother.
Romero was last seen alive Thursday after 6 p.m. along the 1100 block of East Chestnut Ave. in Santa Ana.
She had walked to her boyfriend's home about a half-mile away to drop off food and was returning home.
Police say a witness saw a man clutching Romero's arm, leading her down the street with a gun in his hand.
"He sees that she's not going to go any further. She's saying something to him and defiantly sits down on the curb," said Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. "The witness continues, hears a 'pop,' turns around and sees the suspect standing over the victim with a gun in his hand.'
Romero was found on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to her head. She was hospitalized and was later pronounced dead.
Romero has no arrest record. She had no known enemies, according to her brother, who is an active-duty Marine.
"I'm active duty 17 years in. I've been through three wars, three different deployments, been there, done that, and I'm still here. And I don't understand why something could happen to my second baby sister," said Jose Romero.
The suspect was described as a tall man wearing a light-colored hoodie.
If you have information related to the case, contact Santa Ana Police at (714) 245-8390. You can remain anonymous.
