Family members of loved ones inside Irving Chick-fil-A during deadly shooting: 'Cherish every moment you have'

A growing memorial has been created to honor the lives of two people killed in a targeted shooting at an Irving Chick-fil-A on Wednesday.

The tragic incident occurred when Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, 37, allegedly opened fire and headed towards the kitchen where his wife was working. The two victims, Patricia Portillo, 49, and Brayan Alexis Godoy, 31, were shot. Argueta's wife positively identified him as the shooter.

Irving police have not released the nature of the relationship, if any, between the suspect, his wife and the two victims. Sources indicate that Argueta is a Salvadoran national and was taken into immigration detention.

A mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said her son was working in the kitchen at the time of the shooting and managed to escape by jumping out of the window.

“He keeps telling me he’s fine. But I don’t know what’s going through his head right now,” she said. “As a mother…I mean, you don't even have to be a mother, just as a human being…It's scary. Can't we go out and work? Can't we go out and have a nice meal at a restaurant? »

She brought flowers to the memorial, acknowledging how different things could have been. While grateful to still have her son, she expressed her grief for the victims' families.

“Cherish every moment you have… Every moment you have. It doesn't have to be your child. Cherish your loved ones. If you miss them, call them. If you want to hug them, hug them. If you want to tell them you love them, tell them. »

Chick-fil-A has not announced when the restaurant will reopen, but employees estimate it will remain closed for another two weeks.