Chicago, Illinois – A tragic incident unfolded in the early morning hours last Wednesday as Maria Roque, a 34-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot outside her home in the Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side. Shockingly, her two children witnessed the horrifying act of violence. According to local reports, the shooting occurred just hours after a court extended a protection order against the victim’s ex-boyfriend.
Roque’s family believes that her killing is connected to longstanding domestic violence. The suspect responsible for the shooting remains at large, and so far no arrests have been made.
The circumstances surrounding the tragic incident are made even more disturbing by the fact that the suspect had an existing warrant for violating a protection order on the day Roque was murdered. Court records reveal that a protection order had been issued on November 7 and extended on November 28. Other records show that the order was again extended on December 13, just hours after Roque was killed.
The mother’s twin brother, Andres, disclosed the horrifying reality of the kids witnessing their mother’s untimely death. He recounted his nephew’s words with local CBS affiliate WBBM : “I tried to save her.” The boy had witnessed his mother being shot while another child was in the car, hearing the gunshot and rushing to aid his mom by applying CPR. The emotional toll on the children is immeasurable.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastation caused by domestic violence and the critical importance of protection orders in keeping victims safe. The extended protection order, tragically issued after Maria Roque’s death, underscores the need for swift and effective intervention in such cases to save lives and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Investigations continue, and authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect to come forward and assist in bringing justice for Maria Roque and her grieving family.