A Chicago woman was shot and killed in front of her two children just hours before her ex-boyfriend – who is now charged with murder – was set to be served with an extended protection order.
On December 13, 34-year-old Maria Roque was shot multiple times with her 14-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter watching on in front of her home in the Austin neighborhood of the city at around 6:20 a.m.
She had just put the couple’s daughter into a rental car when she noticed a man suspected to be ex-boyfriend Kenneth Brown, 44, approaching.
Roque tried to run away before Brown shot her in the shoulder, chest, and thumb, per a police report.
Brown was immediately suspected after he’d violated an order of protection meant to prevent him from seeing her or the couple’s daughter.
On December 13, 34-year-old Maria Roque was shot multiple times with her 14-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter watching on in front of her home in the Austin neighborhood of the city at around 6:20 a.m.
Roque had just put the couple’s daughter into a rental car when she noticed a man suspected to be ex-boyfriend Kenneth Brown (pictured), 44, approaching and screamed
Just a day prior to Roque’s death, a warrant had been issued for Brown’s arrest for violating the order.
The order had initially been awarded after Roque claimed Brown grabbed her and slammed her to the ground during a fight and threatened to set her car on fire, according to Chicago Sun-Times.
Relatives added that Brown’s violent behavior had escalated since Roque had ended things with him weeks earlier.
It was initially granted until November 28 before being extended to December 13, the day Roque was shot.
Tragically, hours after she’d been murdered, a new order of protection was granted against Brown through January, ultimately useless to protect Roque.
Brown was arrested on December 29 and charged with one count of first-degree murder for fatally shooting Roque.
They took him into custody after he was identified as the suspect who had shot Roque.
Andres Roque, Maria’s twin brother, talked about the horror he felt in hearing the news from family, including her son.
Just a day prior to Roque’s death, a warrant had been issued for Brown’s arrest for violating the order
The order had initially been awarded after Roque claimed Brown grabbed her and slammed her to the ground during a fight and threatening to set her car on fire
‘Me hearing my nephew cry and say, ‘I tried to save her,” Andres told WBBM.
He added that the boy even tried to give his mother life-saving CPR.
‘One in the car, and one he heard the shot, and see his own mom on the stairs, trying to breathe.’
‘I want to cry,’ he added. ‘I want to throw things, but I can’t.’
Mari Duran told the Sun-Times Roque was failed by the system, because ‘a piece of paper doesn’t protect anyone.’
A Gofundme has raised nearly $15,000 to cover the costs of Roque’s funeral.
Brown was arrested on December 29 and charged with one count of first-degree murder for fatally shooting Roque
Relatives added that Brown’s violent behavior had escalated since Roque had ended things with him weeks
Andres Roque (pictured right), Maria’s twin brother, talked about the horror he felt in hearing the news from family, including her son
Brown made his first appearance in court on Sunday, where he was ordered by a judge to remain in custody without bond
Alexandra Jundt, who started the fundraiser, said that Roque had recently ‘taken brave steps towards escaping a dangerous domestic situation, hoping to bring herself and her children to more safety and peace.’
‘Her love as mother, selflessness, honor and courage will continued to be celebrated,’ Jundt added.
Brown made his first appearance in court on Sunday, where he was ordered by a judge to remain in custody without bond.
His next scheduled appearance is set for Wednesday.