Murder Victim's Family says Hispanics are Targets

By Victor Blackwell First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE. FL -- "He really cares for him, and the family back home, really cares for him, too," Mendoza?s brother said through a translator.

Santos Mendoza?s brother wishes he could share that with him, face to face. However, all he has is a picture and questions.

Mendoza's brother spoke with First Coast News through a translator. He asked that we not identify him because he fears the men who took his brother's life, could steal his too.

"This is not the first time that this has happened," said Mendoza?s brother.

Mendoza's brother and his friends say they are robbed all the time, sometimes at gun point. He believes thieves target Hispanics because many of them carry large amounts of cash on payday.

"It has happened many times and everybody here in this small apartment complex has experienced this criminal activity," said Mendoza?s brother.

There's a bullet hole, still in his front door from a robbery Tuesday night.

The man says he and his brother were eating pizza outside with some friends, when five men demanded their money and jewelry. The man says Mendoza ran back to his apartment because he was afraid. He says one of the five robbers shot at Mendoza.

A friend of Mendoza says he was chased by those same early Friday morning.

He says and Mendoza and another man tried to run home. He says Mendoza stopped to ask for help when one of the suspects thought Mendoza was calling the police. He says one of those men shot him.

The men say they received a letter from apartment complex managers. In it, managers say they don't want to alarm the residents.

Theresa Medellin, with the Mexican Union, says the complex needs more security.

"Please? police, try to work with our community and try to save these lives,? said Medellin.

Medellin says murders in the Hispanic community get less reaction from police. She says a Hispanic mother cries when her child is killed, just like every other mother.

"We are people. Just like the white people, the black community, we are humans and we need the same attention," said Medellin.

Mendoza?s brother is raising money to have his body sent back to Mexico to be with his parents. It costs $4,000. If you would like to donate to his efforts, contact the Jacksonville Chapter of the Mexican Union at (904) 219-2719.

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