In the early morning hours of a Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona, a senseless act of violence tragically cut short the life of 20-year-old Gloria Marina Zermeno. On April 25, 2021, Gloria was in the parking lot of a business near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road when a dispute broke out among a group of people. Gloria was attempting to de-escalate the situation.
Shortly after 1 a.m., she was found suffering from gunshot trauma.
The young mother of a little girl was struck by a stray bullet and pronounced dead at the scene. The incident that led to her death was described as a random act of violence. Witnesses reported that a man involved in the initial altercation had brandished a handgun and made threats before leaving in a white Jaguar. Minutes later, he returned and opened fire from his vehicle into the parking lot, tragically hitting Gloria.
Phoenix Police quickly launched an investigation into the shooting death of Gloria Zermeno. Through the use of surveillance footage, detectives were able to identify the vehicle involved, which was registered to Vicente Diaz-Vargas. A search of his home uncovered handguns and rifles. Diaz-Vargas was subsequently arrested and booked on a charge of first-degree murder, with his bond set at one million dollars. Court documents revealed that he admitted to firing shots into the parking lot out of anger.
Gloria, who would have turned 21 just two weeks after her death, was remembered by her loved ones as a wonderful person with a beautiful soul who was always there for her friends. She had plans to get her own apartment and was focused on creating a good life for her four-year-old daughter. Her family and friends were left devastated, grappling with the question of why her life was taken so senselessly.
