In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory

SAN JOSE, Calif. — With profound sadness and heavy hearts, the community of San Jose reflects on the devastating loss of a 24-year-old woman whose life was tragically cut short Tuesday morning in a shooting at the Westgate Center.

According to the San Jose Police Department, the incident occurred in the parking lot of the shopping center and resulted in the deaths of the young woman and her 43-year-old former boyfriend, identified as Edgard Altamirano, in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide.

Today, our focus is not on the violence itself, but on the life that was lost — a young woman whose future was filled with promise, whose presence mattered deeply to those who loved her, and whose story deserves to be remembered with dignity and compassion.

At just 24 years old, she stood at the beginning of what should have been decades of opportunity, growth, and joy. Those who knew her describe a bright spirit — someone who carried dreams, goals, and the quiet strength of youth. She was a daughter, a friend, perhaps a sister, a coworker, and a loved one. She had favorite songs, favorite foods, inside jokes with friends, and plans for the months ahead. She had a life unfolding.

The tragedy that occurred in the parking lot of Westgate Center has shaken the city of San Jose. In a place typically associated with everyday errands and routines, a sudden act of violence altered lives forever. Shoppers, employees, and families in the area were confronted with the stark reminder of how fragile life can be.

For her family, the grief is immeasurable. The pain of losing a young loved one is a heartbreak beyond words — a future erased in an instant, milestones that will never be reached, celebrations that will now be marked by remembrance instead of joy. They are left holding memories: her laughter, her voice, the way she showed up for the people she cared about.

Friends now gather in quiet reflection, sharing stories that paint a fuller picture of who she was beyond this tragic moment. They remember her smile. Her resilience. The small, ordinary gestures that become extraordinary once someone is gone.

This loss also brings attention to the broader and painful reality of relationship violence. When harm occurs at the hands of someone once trusted, the devastation ripples through entire communities. It calls for deeper conversations about safety, support systems, and ensuring that those who feel threatened or vulnerable have access to help before tragedy strikes.

As San Jose mourns, may compassion guide the days ahead. May the focus remain on honoring the life of a young woman who deserved safety, happiness, and the chance to fulfill her dreams. May her loved ones find strength in one another, and may the community surround them with care.

We remember her not for the way her life ended, but for the way she lived — for her youth, her humanity, and the love she shared.

In loving memory, we hold her family in our hearts.
We grieve a future stolen too soon.
And we honor a life that mattered — deeply and forever.