This June 16, 2025, a tragic shooting interrupted a Father’s Day celebration at the West Fest Carnival in West Valley City, Utah, claiming the lives of three people, including a Hispanic baby just 8 months old.
The youngest victim was one of the Guatemalan couple’s twins: Anderson Garcia and Mehili Cabrera, who now face the greatest pain imaginable.
What happened at WestFest
The Garcia family planned to go to the Walmart that night, but when they saw the carnival in Centennial Park, they decided to make a brief stop to enjoy the atmosphere.
While watching a mechanical game, gunshots were heard.
Anderson, the father, pushed his wife to protect her and threw himself over his twins’ double car with his body, trying to cover them.
“I would rather the bullets hit me than my children,” Garcia told local media in tears.
Tragically, a Hispanic baby was fatally struck.
The shooting was perpetrated by a 16-year-old teenager, who opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among the attendees.
A much loved baby
Mehili Cabrera shared that her baby was a very happy child and was starting to crawl.
I struggled with infertility for three years
“Finally, I was blessed with two beautiful children. And now my soul is broken.”
The family’s grief is indescribable, as this Hispanic baby was lovingly awaited for years.
His twin brother survived the attack.
Repatriation and community support
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to repatriate the baby’s body to Guatemala.
They wish to bury him surrounded by his extended family. In their message, they express:
“We are devastated and struggling to process this unimaginable loss.”
“Our greatest wish is to bring our beautiful son back to Guatemala, so he can rest in peace surrounded by loved ones.”
“Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us give him the dignified burial he deserves.”
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.
