7 News Belize

Mother of 9 Killed On Walk To The Corner Store
posted (May 22, 2018)
It's been a devastating long weekend - with 5, and possibly 6 weekend murders to report, as well as other shootings and traumatic deaths.

They're all tragedies, and all profoundly sad - and one of the saddest has to be the loss of 40-year-old Michelle Anderson - a mother of nine who was randomly shot while buying a few items to make Sunday dinner for her family.

Anderson and 30-year-old Nelson Lopez were in June's Meat store when a man came in and fired several shots. She was fatally shot in the chest, while Lopez was shot to the thigh.

Anderson's family is left shattered by the untimely and unexpected death of their loved one. Sahar Vasquez stopped by and found that she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sahar Vasquez reporting
On Monday morning these nine children all woke up knowing their beloved mother Michelle Anderson was alive, well, and ready to provide everything she could for each of them. Last night they went to bed knowing their mom was gone and was never coming back.

Sherilyn Ortiz, Daughter of Deceased
"I saw here the day before she died. I cooked some stew beans and pigtail. I took it for her. SHe said "wow". I told her I was done early but I have to go to work. Her birthday is on Tuesday so we decided we would have a small party right at her house."

Anderson and her family will never be able to celebrate her 41st birthday now.

On Monday morning the 40-year-old was cooking a delicious meal for relatives when she realized she forgot something. She decided to quickly run to a small store at the Michael Finnegan Market and pick it up so she could complete her meal but she never returned.

Sherilyn Ortiz, Daughter of Deceased
"I was in my family yard when they came in and said people got shot by the market. I was going to buy soft drinks. They said it was a Michelle. I asked if it was my mom and they said no it was a big girl and then my aunt said your mom went to the market. I realized then that it was my mom and when I went I saw it was my mom."

While in the store a man entered and fired several shots at her and another man in the store. Her injuries were far too severe, she died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Anderson spent her life at the Conchshell bay fish market cleaning and selling fish. The job was almost never easy but she pushed through for her children.

Erla Anderson, Mother of Deceased
"She really fought for her children you would see her out there in the rain or shine. She never depended on the children's father. She tried in every way and that is why it hurts so much. She was chanced out of her life. Life is not fair but it is real."

For her mom the loss is tremendous, but she feels a sense of peace that the last time she saw her daughter they made great memories together.

Erla Andersen, Mother of Deceased
"I sell food by Galvez Red House and Sunday she was there with me and stayed with me until the night. We were joking and cleaning and I went to her house in the morning and spoke to her. That helped me a lot."

Anderson may be gone for good but her family will always remember all the positivity and love she brought to their lives.

Sherilyn Ortiz, Daughter of Deceased
"People go through their ups and downs but she was a loving mother to me. I would cook and take food for her. She would cook and bring food for me. She would always come and hail me every day."

Erla Anderson, Mother of Deceased
"She always has good things to say. If I were to get up this morning and say "Michelle gyal I don't feel like doing this anymore". She would say "mom remember god is here." She would always tell us "remember God is here"."

"Always thought positive, never thought negative. Always tried to make peace with everyone."

Lopez was an employee of the store and is currently at the KHMH recovering.

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