Victims of violent crimes remembered

Maria Muñoz’s grandson was shot and killed in Oct. 7, 2012. His body was found days later in a cornfield in Chowchilla.

It’s been over two years since the killing of Pete Rios Jr., 18, and his family still seeks answers.

“We don’t know who killed him,” Muñoz said with tears in her eyes. “I haven’t gotten over it, and I don’t know if I will.”

Muñoz, an Atwater resident, said she had raised her grandson since he was 2 months old. She tries any way she can to keep his memory alive. Muñoz joined about 20 other families at Courthouse Park on Thursday for a ceremony that paid homage to victims of violent crimes.

The annual event was organized by the Merced County District Attorney’s Office and the Victim Witness Assistance Program as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which was established in 1981.

Families took photos of their loved ones to be put on display during the ceremony. The event has been taking place in Merced County for about 25 years, according to organizers.

Lisa DeSantis, the Victim Witness program coordinator, said the Victims’ Rights Ceremony helps bring people who are dealing with similar pain together. She explained that being able to express themselves with other families of victims can bring a sense of comfort and support.

Merced County is coming off two consecutive years of record-high homicides: 32 were reported in 2014, up from 28 in 2013. It’s in times like these, she said, that providing a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on is essential.

“One thing I tell the families is to not give up, to stay strong,” DeSantis said. “They have to stay connected, not only as a family, but also as community.”

One family that has been trying to stay strong is that of Benito Aguirre, a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed Feb. 15. On the night of the shooting, Aguirre was found unresponsive in the parking lot of Tenaya Middle School.

Aguirre’s aunt, Lupe Herland, said Thursday’s observance made her realize that her family is not alone, and that people in the community have to support each other.

“We miss him, and we want to remember him as the happy person that he was,” Herland said. “He liked to skate and fish; he was always smiling and laughing.

The families got to hear from JoAnn Butaro, a date-rape survivor from Los Angeles. Butaro has been a speaker for several years on the subject of rape and sexual assault. Butaro shared with the audience her transformation from a victim to a survivor. She said that what helped her heal was counseling.

“Rape crisis counseling was my lifesaver,” Butaro said. “It is so vital.”

She also believes that sharing her story with others helped her gain strength.

Muñoz, for example, took Butaro’s advice to heart. “Maybe I do need counseling ... something that will help,” she said.

After the ceremony, people wrote messages to the victims in remembrance cards that were then tied to a tall redwood tree. Pastor Bill Ruth, who led the ceremony in prayer, explained that the tree was planted in 1990 and was struck by lightning some years later, but still stands strong.

The tree, he said, is a reminder that time heals.

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 9:08 PM with the headline "Victims of violent crimes remembered."