Police Seek Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Dona Gonzalez in Punta Gorda

Police are on the hunt for 25-year-old Fibriel Savala, a suspect in the murder of 35-year-old Dona Gonzalez. Savala is wanted for questioning, and police say he is armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the police. Gonzalez lost her life, and her common-law husband was hospitalized in an early morning shooting in Punta Gorda Town, Toledo on Saturday. Around 2 o’clock, Gonzalez and 22-year-old Gustavo Mendez were walking home on Far West Street when they came under gunfire. The pair had just left a wake when a lone gunman ambushed them. They were shot several times despite making a run for cover. Gonzalez succumbed to her injuries on the spot, while Mendez was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital for medical attention. Senior Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung spoke to Gonzalez’s mother, Pietra Jacobs, about the callous murder. 

Pietra Jacobs, Mother of Deceased: “One of my family members died and they had a wake and me and my daughter was at the wake, but I left the wake. My daughter left before me and I left and when I got the call after two that she passed away, she got shot.”

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: Any idea why this had happened? 

Pietra Jacobs, Mother of Deceased: “Well, I don’t have no idea because I don’t know if she have any problem with anybody.”

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: Was she the only person who got shot? 

Pietra Jacobs, Mother of Deceased:“Well, I got to understand her boyfriend was along with her.”

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: Any information on his situation now? 

Pietra Jacobs, Mother of Deceased: “Well, right now, no, I don’t have any information. My daughter was a second mom to my kids. She was an activist. She was acted in the Hollywood Queen and right now she was getting prepared for the 21st to have a float. She was collecting, she was asking for donations so that she could prepare to bring a float for Hollywood.” 

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: Is there any message you would want to send out there to anybody or persons who have done this? 

Pietra Jacobs, Mother of Deceased: “Well I’d just like to tell them that I have no problem with them because I don’t know them. I don’t know if they know me. If they had a problem with my daughter, well, I’ll take it to the Lord in prayers because I’m a praying mother. I believe in prayers and I take everything to the Lord. He will deal with it.”

Following Gonzalez’s murder, residents of the community took to the streets demanding justice. A handful of people burnt tires and blocked the main street. The uproar resulted in a confrontation with the police that lasted for almost an hour.