Lavina Fonseca, a 47-year-old woman from Hialeah, FL, tragically lost her life on June 6, 2010, in a horrific shooting incident at the Yoyito Cafe-Restaurant. The incident unfolded when Gerardo Regalado, a 38-year-old man, shot and killed his wife, Liazan Molina, outside the restaurant where she worked. Regalado then entered the restaurant and targeted women inside, killing three more women, including Lavina Fonseca, before committing suicide.
The other victims were Maysel Figueroa, 32, and Zaida Castillo, 56. Regalado bypassed at least two men during the shooting, focusing solely on the women.
Lavina Fonseca, a Hispanic woman, was one of the employees at the restaurant. She lived next door to Maysel Figueroa, another victim of the shooting. The incident left the community in shock and mourning, with many struggling to comprehend the senseless violence. Funerals for the victims were held shortly after the incident, with mourners expressing their grief and disbelief over the tragic loss of life.
The investigation revealed that Regalado had a history of domestic issues with his wife, Liazan Molina. On the night of the shooting, an argument between the couple escalated, leading to the deadly rampage. Regalado's actions were described as targeting women specifically, as he bypassed men in the restaurant to shoot at the women. The police found Regalado dead a few blocks away from the restaurant, having committed suicide with the same weapon used in the shootings.
The aftermath of the incident saw an outpouring of support for the victims' families, with the state covering funeral and burial costs. The community of Hialeah came together to mourn the loss of Lavina Fonseca and the other victims, remembering them as beloved members of the community who were taken too soon by a senseless act of violence.
