ARLINGTON, Texas — When love meets loss, you rely on hope.
“This was senseless. It’s horrible. I pray to God they find the people who did this to her,” said Jeannettea Flores, a customer at Pho Son Nam Restaurant in the 6500 block of New York Avenue in Arlington.
The Arlington Police Department is calling on the public to send in tips after a woman was run over and killed during an attempted robbery on Dec. 29.
The department says at about 10 a.m., officers were called to the shopping center after a passerby reported seeing a woman in a physical struggle with a man.
They said the 56-year-old woman, whose family owns Pho Son Nam Restaurant at the location, stopped at a bank before coming to work.
“Folks who know her told our detectives that this is part of her daily routine,” said Tim Ciesco, Arlington Police media relations coordinator.
Police believe the woman was followed to the restaurant when the man tried to rob her in the parking lot.
“At some point during that struggle, she fell on the ground and then got hit by the car of the suspect as he was trying to get away,” said Ciesco.
Shortly after, she died.
“She was my friend. She’s been my friend for years,” said Flores.
Flores came to the restaurant every Sunday after church. This time, she was there to honor her friend.
“She’s such a good person. She’s a Godly person, and she would just give,” said Flores.
Pho Son Nam Vietnamese Restaurant acknowledged in a Facebook post that one of their employees was attacked on Dec. 29.
"It pains us to have to share with you all that earlier this morning, Mrs. Kim was attacked and taken from us. She was the most caring and wonderful woman, the best mother and grandmother to our family. We appreciate everyone that has reached out with their condolences. She put her all into this restaurant and adored all of her customers as if they were family. We have set up some flowers in front of the restaurant for those who would like to come pray and pay their respects," the Facebook post read.
The victim’s name will be released by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office when next of kin is notified, police said. But according to a GoFundMe page, the family confirmed the identity of Mrs. Kim. They are hoping to raise money for funeral arrangements. Click here if you'd like to donate.
“At this time of the year where the year is going to end, we don’t pray to lose anyone that is close to us like that,” said Rasheed Ochenika, an employee at a business just a few doors away. He said he was surprised this happened especially in broad daylight when the plaza is busy.
“That’s what keeps going through my mind,” Ochenika said. “You see when you came in, the door was locked. That’s to tell you how scared I was.”
No arrests have been made in the case and police said the suspect’s description or the description of the suspect’s vehicle aren’t “great.”
Police are hoping that any witnesses from the scene will come forward with more information as they look to surveillance cameras in the area. Anyone with information is asked to call Arlington Police Detective Stafford at 817-459-5739 or call Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477.