Helping family of Israel Diego Pascual

My name is Nadia. My husband Dan and I own a farm in Eagleville, TN. Last night, Monday, September 13 at 9:22pm, one of our best workers, Manuela, called my cell. When I picked up the phone, I heard the desperate cry of a woman who had just lost her child. I do not know if Manuela called me by mistake or if it was intentional. I am afraid to ask. I heard Israel’s brother Adolfo crying “Momma, there is nothing we can do, he was shot”. I heard “Ms. Nadia, my boy, my baby-brother, shot shot shot”.

We have 3 kids- two girls and a boy. My boy is exactly the same age as Israel: a freshman in high school. As a mother, I have my nightmares and fears. I am most fearful of losing my children. I do not know how to cope with a tragedy of such proportions.

I can’t comprehend how you can go out to do laundry with your family and your child never returns home with you.

I do believe in God, but I had trouble finding words today when I visited with the family. All I could do was hold Manuela’s hands, sit next to her, rock with her, and pray with her. Manuela said she has questions. Why. Why. Why.

This fundraiser is the bare minimum we can do. I asked Manuela’s family’s permission to start it in their son’s name. Israel Diego Pascual, 14 years old, born June 21st, 2007.

This is Israel in his family’s words:

“Israel was a very friendly person. He had a great personality and was a great person to get along with. He is a very sweet boy and he enjoyed playing basketball and playing video games. Sadly, his life ended because of man with a gun who thought he was the person he was looking for”.

I hope this money can help Israel’s family pay some of their bills in the coming weeks and maybe buy a new (used) car for Adolfo, because his was damaged in the shooting.

Adolfo told me their community will cover the cost of funeral.

Thank you very much and God Bless you.

Link to Channel 4 news