Exclusive: Brother 'didn't even know he was about to die'
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Authorities say they have a strong lead in the murder of two U.S. citizens in Mexico. Investigators have also ruled out drug-related violence in the deaths of Kevin Romero and Sergio Salcido.
Salcido was living in Tijuana and working in San Diego, but he grew up in Bakersfield, having graduated from South High School. He was known for his love of mixed martial arts.
"He just wanted to get married, have his family and have a gym, and now that's never going to happen," Salcido's sister, Christina Arteaga, said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News and BakersfieldNow.com. "I'm never going to see what his baby may have looked like."
Mexican authorities claim Salcido and Romero were on their way to work in San Diego when they got stuck in traffic near the border in Mexico. Officials say a hooded gunman walked up and shot the two to death.
"He didn't even know he was about to die. He didn't have a chance to think. He didn't get a chance to tell anyone anything. He just died," Arteaga said.
According to his sister, Salcido was not a drug dealer, gang member or involved in any love triangles. But she does admit that his tough persona may have cost him.
"I don't think it should have cost him his life, but I'm sure that's why this happened," she said.
Arteaga said the family may never get all the answers they want, but they're determined to fight for justice.
Salcido's funeral is scheduled to take place April 15 at Patino Hall. It is open to the public.
