Okeechobee Family Members React to Sebring Bank Shooting Verdict

OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — Family members were emotional during the sentencing trial of Sebring bank shooter Zephen Xaver on Wednesday.

Cynthia Garza said she is still going through her mother's death. Ana Piñon-Williams grew up in Okeechobee and moved to Sebring. She was one of five women killed in the 2019 Sebring Sun Trust Bank shooting.

“We love that it’s finally over,” Cynthia Garza said. “We would much rather have my mother back. The trial, it's finally over, but there's also this anger and sadness and grief and grief that we have because my mother is no longer here.”

Piñon-William's sister, Blanca Piñon, sat in the courtroom and said it was emotional.

“It's hard. It's difficult because there are people grieving,” Piñon shared. “People who were touched. I feel like there was just a multitude of emotions in there for me.

WPTV's Zitlali Solache also spoke with the husband of Jessica Montague, who was also shot. He said hearing the verdict gave him a healing feeling.

“I feel a lot better. I feel like a lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” Maine Montague shared. “Honestly, it’s been a roller coaster. Emotions everywhere, we don’t know what’s going to happen.

Many of them said the victims will never be forgotten and they hope to honor their memory.

“We just want to make sure our kids know that their grandmother was an amazing person,” Garza shared. “Even though they don’t know Mama Ana, Mama Ana is an incredible person and truly misses her every day.”

All three family members told WPTV's Zitlali Solache they look forward to closing this long chapter and hope to move forward in honor of their loved ones.

The next step is final sentencing. The judge is expected to set a date later.