Pattern of Latino Targeting in Alabama’s Capital Revealed: Deadly Shockwaves of Robberies

In Montgomery, Alabama, Latino business owners and residents have voiced concerns about a pattern of violence against their community. Nelson Narváez Estrada, owner of the ice cream parlor La Moraleja, revealed that his shop has been robbed by gunmen three times this year.

Christina Morales, a journalist, visited Montgomery to speak in Spanish with Latin American business owners, activists, and residents. On June 4, tragedy struck when Billy Daniel López García, along with his father and a family friend, were fatally shot in their family grocery store, Tienda Los Hermanos. The store, which sold products from their native Guatemala, was the victim of a violent robbery just minutes before closing time.

The series of violent incidents in the area had deeply troubled the community. From a restaurant worker shot in the hip to gunmen terrorizing customers at other Latino businesses, the atmosphere in Montgomery was tense. López García had just bought an engagement ring for his girlfriend and planned to propose after her birthday, but his dreams were cut short by the deadly robbery of his family’s store.

His girlfriend, Michelle Nambo Beltran, expressed her sadness, saying that the United States had proven to be a dangerous place for them. Despite López García’s aspirations, the move to the U.S. ultimately resulted in a tragic loss for him.

The series of violent crimes targeting Latino-owned businesses in Alabama’s capital city has raised concerns about the safety and security of the community. As the investigation continues and the search continues for the perpetrators, Montgomery residents are mourning the loss of life and calling for action to address the violence plaguing their neighborhoods.