Final Funeral Held For Victims Of Mexico Cartel Shootings

COLONIA LE BARON, Mexico – The world continues to mourn for the victims of the brutal ambush in Mexico that took the lives of three mothers and six children.

Saturday marks day three of the funerals for the victims with services for one of the mothers, 31-year-old Christina Marie Langford Johnson.

Christina Langford’s funeral was the last of the nine victims. White daisies spelling out the word “mommy” hung over her casket. Her family said she died doing what every good mother would do – protecting her children during Monday’s brutal cartel ambush near La Mora, Mexico.

Family said between 300 and 500 people gathered inside a chapel in Colonia Le Baron Mexico for the last of the funerals following the deadly ambush.

During Monday’s attack, Christina reportedly jumped out of her car waving at the aggressors to let them know it was women and children who were traveling.

“Trevor arrived in La Mora. Aunt Donna and Christina are gone. They are not, they are dead,” said Kendra Lee Miller, hours after the ambush informing other family members through What’s App.  

The surviving children said the gunmen fired despite the mothers’ pleas. 

“She was just lying on the ground when we came on her and I could tell from the bloodstains that they aimed for her heart,” said Julian LeBaron in the days following the attack.

LeBaron was one of the first to find the bodies of the victims.

During the search for survivors, family members found Christina’s 7-month-old baby daughter, Faith, inside the car unharmed. It appeared her mother, desperate to protect her, tucked her away on the floor.

“Christina’s baby, Faith, she was in the car seat in the back seat, which is where she was able to survive,” said Kendra Miller. 

Funeral services began on Thursday, with services for Dawna Langford and her two sons, 2-year-old Rogan and 11-year-old Trevor.   

On Friday, services continued for Rhonita Miller and her four children, Howard Jacob Miller, 12, Krystal Bellaine Miller, 10, and 8-month old twins Titus and Tiana Miller. They were found burned inside their charred SUV riddled with bullets.  

Meanwhile, on the U.S. side the border, many mourned. In Williston, North Dakota, a vigil was held Friday night where several family members worked.

“A lot of them work up here – LeBaron’s, Langford, Millers. I’ve got to know them very, very well. I just love them. They’re so dear. They’re service-oriented people that would do anything for anybody,” said Mark Maddocks during the vigil.

Of the 17 ambushed, 8 children survived. Five were taken to a Tucson-area hospital for treatment.

“The rest are supposed to be out (Sunday), other than the one who got shot in the jaw,” said Ryan Langford.

Family said they were praying for justice in what they believe was a strategically-planned attack.

“We know they (saw) women and children in there from a long distance off. There is no trying to deny that, and we know this was done intentionally,” said Ryan Langford.

Many of the victims family members said they no longer felt safe in their remote community, and planned to move back to the United States. A caravan of more than a dozen vehicles arrived in Arizona on Saturday afternoon. 

“It’s… getting our community and our family out,” said Ryan Langford.

Meanwhile in Tucson, Arizona organizers from Follow the Flag traveled from Utah to unravel a giant flag named Betsey over Ventana Canyon.

Organizers said they were joined by some of the victims’ relatives, including David Langford, Dawna Langford’s husband and father of Trevor and Rogan.

Follow the Flag organizers traveled to AZ from UT to unravel a giant flag named Betsey over Ventana Canyon to show support for 9 people killed in a violent attack in Mexico. https://t.co/33LVpsfhyz@GarnaMejiaKSL

📷: Josh Eldridge (Follow the Flag), Founders Carrie and Kyle Fox pic.twitter.com/na9UgQSrsb

— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) November 11, 2019

Ryan Langford also thanked the outpouring of love and support they have received.

“I want to thank the people that came over and risked their lives. I know it wasn’t a hundred percent safe and they came out with us to mourn,” said Langford.  

Christina would be turning 32 in just a couple of weeks. A GoFundMe account has been established to help the families of all the victims. 

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