By NAN Staff Writer
News Americas, LOS ANGELES, CA, Mon. Dec. 7, 2015: Immigrants as President Obama said Sunday night during his address to the nation were among those killed in the terror attack in San Bernardino, California last Friday at the Inland Regional Center. Among them was one from Latin America.
Juan Espinoza, 50, was the lone victim from the Latin American nation of Mexico who along with 13 others were shot and killed by U.S.-born Muslim Syed Rizwan Farook and his Pakistani wife Pakistan-born Tashfeen Malik.
Espinoza was born in Obregón, Sonora, Mexico, one of thirteen children on a farm. He migrated to the U.S. some 20 years ago and went on to attend California State University, San Bernardino campus pursuing a degree in biology.
While pursuing his degree he worked at department of corrections and after graduating as biologist went on to become a health inspector for the health department of San Bernardino.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra, 47; daughter, Jerusalem, 25; and son, Jonathan, 13, the Orange County Register reported.
A niece said the shooters “took away a piece of heart of everyone who surrounded him with love and respect.”
Espinoza’s family also told CBS2’s Jeff Nguyen they want Espinoza to be remembered for being much more than a victim.
The family showed Nguyen a picture they said captured Espinoza best — sitting in his backyard in the suburb of Highland, surrounded by trees he carefully nurtured.
“A little piece of Mexico in his yard because he brings trees from there also,” said his niece Zhenia Ponce De Leon.
His family is now busy planning his funeral and getting the paperwork necessary to bring his brothers and sisters to the US for the service.
