Yenat Guardado, a 38-year-old Hispanic woman, tragically lost her life on May 20, 2017, in Miami, Florida. Yenat and her sister, Madlin Guardado, 39, were working at the Latin Café on Coral Way when their uncle, 84-year-old Jose Reina, entered the restaurant and opened fire. The incident occurred around noon, during the busy lunch hour. Madlin was pronounced dead at the scene, while Yenat was airlifted to Kendall Regional Trauma Center in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her
injuries.
The motive behind the shooting was believed to be Reina's distress over being the sole caretaker for his wife, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This emotional burden is thought to have driven him to commit the heinous act. After the shooting, Reina fled the scene in a green Jeep Cherokee. He was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his car, parked at a grocery store about five miles from the restaurant.
The Miami Police Department conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, interviewing witnesses and examining the crime scene. The case was classified as a murder-suicide, with no further arrests or suspects involved. The tragic event left the community in shock, mourning the loss of two beloved sisters who were known for their dedication and hard work at the restaurant. The investigation concluded that Reina acted alone, driven by his overwhelming personal circumstances.
