Mark Remmers (Santa Ana police), Maria Del Refugio Mora (GoFundMe) and Brooke De La Cruz (Santa Ana police).
More than three years after a Santa Ana mother of three was killed by a stray bullet in front of her family, investigators are still searching for two of the four people believed to be involved.
Maria Del Refugio Mora, 43, had been on her way to meet her husband and 3-year-old son for dinner at a pizzeria on South Main Street at about 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2022. According to police, as she walked through the parking lot, a suspect got out of a white Toyota Camry and opened fire on two teenagers nearby. The teens were not hit, but one of the bullets struck Refugio Mora in the upper torso in what authorities said was a gang-related attack.
She was taken to a hospital by paramedics and died five days later.
In the weeks that followed, Santa Ana police arrested two suspects: Mark Remmers, who was 19 at the time, and Brooke De La Cruz, then 24. Authorities identified Remmers as the alleged shooter and De La Cruz as the alleged getaway driver, both facing murder charges. Police have said at least two other people were inside the car and remain unaccounted for.
At the time, Chief David Valentin condemned the killing, calling it the tragic death of an innocent bystander and offering condolences to Refugio Mora’s family, especially her three children, who he said would now face every holiday without their mother.
The loss unfolded in an instant, according to Refugio Mora’s husband, who later told KABC that he had just locked eyes with his wife in the parking lot and seen her smile moments before the gunfire erupted. He said the killing left him overcome with anger and determined to see everyone responsible brought to justice.
The victim’s kids were between 3 and 15 at the time of her death.
“She was a loving wife and mother who adored them so much,” a GoFundMe page said. “Nobody deserved this.”
Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Section at 714-245-8390. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.
