Friend of fast food worker injured in Santa Fe Sonic Drive-In shooting speaks out
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man who is accused of shooting a fast-food worker in the head in Santa Fe. A friend of the worker said he came to America for a better life. “He came from Guatemala to help his family and support his family,” said Angel Avila Morales’ friend, Kaylee Gutierrez.
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Friends of 20-year-old Avila Morales describe him as a sweetheart who came to the United States earlier this year to support his mom and siblings back home in Guatemala. To do so, he got a job at the Sonic Drive-In on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe.
“An employee at Sonic doesn’t really make a lot of tips. However, he will make tips and he will put all of his tips in a jar and send that money to his family,” said Gutierrez.
He is also a youth group leader at a local church in Santa Fe. “He discovered his passion for the Bible to teach it to all the kids. He was always talking about the Bible,” added Gutierrez.
However, on July 25, he wasn’t returning his friends’ texts. That’s when they learned of the unthinkable, he was shot in the head while at work. “It was like a shock. Out of nowhere, I was falling asleep and then I received a call that he got shot. Everything happened in a matter of seconds.”
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department arrested 31-year-old Mariano Romero on Sunday. He is accused of shooting Morales while he was bringing an order to a car at the drive-in. He is also accused of threatening a witness.
According to police, Romero fled the scene, along with two women. The Santa Fe Police Department is looking for 26-year-old Savannah Edwards who they said is a person of interest.
Now, Avila Morales has a long road to recovery. Gutierrez said he had been unconscious since the shooting, but on Sunday he opened his eyes. “He cannot move the right side of his body. His entire body, he is not able to move it.”
His loved ones said they have faith he will be okay. “It’s going to probably take months, probably years. We don’t know, but we have faith and that’s what gives us the strength to keep going.” Family and friends set up a GoFundMe to help with medical costs while Avila Morales recovers.
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