Only weeks after burying his four month old daughter, Javier Argueta tragically lost his life in a senseless act of violence. He leaves behind Nicole and her two daughters Audrey and Adele, and his daughter Leila, along with several family members.

Javier spent the last several months tending to his daughter, Alena, at the University of Maryland Medical Center as she battled severe health complications from birth. As you can imagine, it was a long, grueling, emotionally exhausting and troubling experience for him and Alena's mother, Nicole. Alena fought hard, and we know both Nicole and Javier couldn't have been more proud or inspired by their baby girl's strength. Javier made it known that the experience changed him and the way he views and appreciates life. From day one, Javier and Nicole both focused on making every day count, and strived to back to living, enjoying, and creating the best life they could with the people they loved.

On their way to a river for a family Memorial Day gathering, Javier, Nicole, and members of their family stopped at a hotel to rest, planning to complete their drive early the next morning. Javier was so excited, he had been wanting to take everyone to this special place for months. All there is to say, with the deepest despair, as Javier, his brother and their friend were walking down the hallway in the hotel to make sure everyone was safe and settled, a random, angry, troubled individual repeatedly shot the three of them... for no rhyme or reason. Javier was the only one not to make it. His brother, Alex, and their friend Neftali, were rushed to Baltimore Shock-Trauma for lifesaving surgery.

The family is in mourning. Our community of family and friends are in shock. We miss our friend, our brother, someone who was always ready to have a good time, share a story, or a laugh, and whip up anything with tequila! His lost life has left a hole in so many - and it has also impacted his family and their ability to make ends meet. Javier and his work supported his family financially, both here, and his family back home in El Salvador. Between the loss of his life, and the medical expenses incurred from both this terrible incident and his daughter, Alena's, extensive medical bills, one can only imagine the stress everyone feels on top of their heartache. Though, this is what community is for.

We are pulling together to start this fund to help Javier's most important people - his family - manage without him. They will spend the rest of their lives wishing he was here, and that in itself is impossibly hard. The least we can all do is help alleviate some financial stress. Thank you, to everyone, for donating anything you can.

Much love.