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Candlelight Vigil Held As Community Mourns 7-Year-Old

'Mortal Kombat' Imitation Kills Girl, Police Say

POSTED: 11:20 pm MST December 23, 2007
UPDATED: 7:08 am MST December 24, 2007

Despite a chill in the air, memories of Zoe Garcia warmed the crowd.

About 50 people showed up at Johnstown’s Letford Elementary Sunday evening to mourn her death. Garcia, 7, attended first-grade there.

It was on the school’s steps that people shared stories about the little girl.

"I used to give her subway sandwiches ... she was a baby," said one speaker.

"She touched a deep part of my heart, like she did everybody else,” said another.

A coroner’s report said Garcia died on Dec. 6 from blunt-force injuries. An autopsy showed she had a broken wrist, more than 20 bruises, swelling in the brain and bleeding in her neck muscles and under her spine.

Police said her half sister Heather Trujillo, 16, and Trujillo’s boyfriend, Lamar Roberts, 17, killed the girl while imitating the martial arts video game "Mortal Kombat."

An arrest warrant said they kicked, karate-chopped, and body-slammed the 7-year-old girl.

The community said news of her death was horrific and it prompted local beauty salon owner, Laurie Forte, to organize the event.

Many said the candlelight vigil gave them closure.

"She was just the most wonderful little girl in the world. She had a smile that would just light up the day. She was just so, so happy,” said a speaker.

Trujillo and Roberts are behind bars, charged with child abuse resulting in death. Their bonds are set at $100,000 each.

Funeral services for Garcia are planned for Friday, Dec. 29.

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