Fil-Am shot dead in Daly City, mother searches for answers

Liezel Chan Lucero leads prayers at the scene of her daughter’s murder. CONTRIBUTED

SAN FRANCISCO – As the first death anniversary of Frances Kendra Lucero nears, Liezel Chan Lucero is anxious to hear the answer to the question tormenting her family: “Why was my daughter’s life taken?”

The eldest of Liezel and her husband Florendo “Ollen” Lucero’s three children, 27-year old Frances Kendra was shot and killed March 6 last year, in front of her young daughter and son at her parents’ home in Daly City.

Police say Frances Kendra Lucero was shot and killed by her on-again/off-again partner. CONTRIBUTED

Police arrested the alleged gunman they identified as Romier Narag, then also 27, Frances’ on-again/off-again partner and father of their two children.

Narag is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing Feb. 26 at San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, reset from the Dec. 13 original date. He is facing murder and associated weapons charges.

“I want him to see the pain caused by the loss of our beloved Frances,” Chan Lucero

told Inquirer.net USA.  “I want to know why he took her life, why he took our daughter, made my grandchildren motherless, and left us with unbearable grief.”

San Mateo County prosecutors say Narag and Lucero had returned home from a dinner date when they had an argument upon their return at the home of Frances’ parents, where the couple also lived. Narag suddenly pulled out a gun and fired four shots at Lucero as she tried to flee, hitting her body and her leg.

Liezel Chan Lucero wants justice for her daughter Frances Kendra Lucero. CONTRIBUTED

The fatal shooting occurred on Eastgate Drive in a quiet residential neighborhood near the Westlake Shopping Center. The elder Luceros were at work at the time and learned about the violent incident only after a relative called them to rush home “because of an emergency involving Frances.”

“I tried calling Frances on my way home, but she wasn’t picking up,“ Chan Lucero recalled her frantic drive. She had no idea what awaited as she braved the pouring rain, but the sight of police, emergency vehicles and yellow tape around their property pointed to the worst outcome.

“When I saw the body bag I broke out and cried knowing someone had died,” she said.

Community support

The tragedy cast a pall over the Filipino American community that immediately reached out to the Luceros.

The crime scene is steps away from a city park with a facility housing the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC), site of Fil-Am empowerment meetings, education workshops and civic celebrations.

Colma Council Member and 2024 ALLICE president Joanne del Rosario urges education for abuse prevention. Photo from Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Just days after the fatal shooting, PBRC provided sanctuary for the bereaved family, friends and concerned citizens at a Mass and vigil attended by now-Mayor Juslyn Manalo, a member of the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council (SMCDVC).  She also led a community gathering at the City Hall of Daly City to console the family.

“I stand with the Lucero family for justice for Frances whose life ended too soon tragically. I have been working alongside her mother Liezel to keep her daughter’s legacy honored,” Manalo reiterated her support with Inquirer.net USA.

In September SMCDVC convened a special task force in response to the five intimate partner violence fatalities reported last year including Lucero and Claribel Estrella of San Mateo, described as a Fil-Am volunteer at a shelter for the unhoused who stabbed to death in July allegedly by her ex-partner whom she had met at the shelter.

“Intimate partner violence is a crisis that demands our experts come together, identify the gaps, and take action now. We have the resources to prevent domestic violence and save lives,” District 2 County Supervisor Noelia Corzo said in announcing the task force of which she and Sheriff Christina Corpuz are members.

Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo is among Lucero’s biggest supporters. Photo from Cherie M. Querol Moreno

“This is precisely why our all-volunteer team ha been in existence for 21 years,” Colma City Council member Joanne del Rosario, who is 2024 president of Alliance for Community Empowerment (ALLICE), told Inquirer.net USA.

“Understanding the dynamics of intimate partner abuse, such as recognizing signs of abusive behavior and the most dangerous time for a survivor, is key to prevention.

That’s why we continue to give free presentations that are open to the public,” she said, explaining the mission of the Fil-Am nonprofit based in Daly City.

Frances Kendra was laid to rest on March 27 after a two-day wake where loved ones said goodbye.  Mourners remembered her as bright, amiable, and enterprising – a “fashionista” fascinated by the healing power of crystals, which she turned into jewelry she sold online. She worked as an assistant optician at Seton Medical Offices.  Most importantly, they praised her as a devoted mother, caring sister and her mother’s best friend.

While Chan Lucero struggles with her grief, she is thankful to have custody of her grandchildren, now 5 and 4 years old.  They are all getting therapy to help deal with their mixed emotions.

She admits to being nervous about the impending trial but says she is hopeful to win justice for her daughter.

To get help for or learn more about intimate partner violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. In San Mateo County, contact 1-800-300-1080 or www.corasupport.org. Filipino American-specific resources can be found here.