Family struggles to purchase headstone for 22-year-old

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — The family of a 22-year-old who was killed last month is asking for the community’s help in creating a final resting place for him. 

Family members said Antonio Valenzuela was shot by a friend during an argument in Westminster on Nov. 5.

“He was loving. Very loving. And silly. So silly, ” Antonio’s grandmother Henrietta Valenzuela said. “He’s just going to be missed so, so much.” 

Valenzuela said while Antonio was her grandson, she adopted him and raised him. She last saw him the Friday before he was shot. 

“I wish I could have held him in my arms before he left that night, and I don’t get that chance anymore,” she said as she cried. “I don’t get that chance anymore.” 

On Nov. 5, Westminster police responded to a shooting on Westcliff Parkway. The 911 caller said two men were fighting and one shot the other. 

The suspect, Gilberth Gomez Arias, later turned himself in in Pueblo County. He’s facing charges of first-degree murder and felony menacing. 

RELATED: Suspect in fatal Westminster shooting turns himself into authorities

Police said at the time that the suspect and victim knew each other. 

“Who shoots a friend? Who shoots a friend? That’s not a friend,” Valenzuela said. “Such an ugly death. So fast. So quick. Not expecting it. Never thought this would happen.” 

The unexpected death has left the family struggling to afford a headstone. Valenzuela hopes the community can help contribute so she can have a place to honor Antonio. 

“Talking to the dirt, without a headstone, that was really, really hard. It was really hard,” she said. “I hope that we can get help from others. He was a good boy. He was a good boy. He went too soon.” 

The family has created a GoFundMe to help raise money for a headstone. 

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