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Family Seeks Help For Bridgeport Children After Parents' Violent Deaths

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Organizers of a Go Fund Me page are seeking community support for two young Bridgeport children whose parents have died under horrific circumstances within the past seven months.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the children of Felipe Soto and Elianna Cruz.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the children of Felipe Soto and Elianna Cruz.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe

Felipe "Petey" Soto, 31, died in an automobile accident in Bridgeport in June. Elianna Cruz, 26, died on Wednesday after she was shot just after 9 p.m. last Saturday in Bridgeport.

The couple had two children, Nicholas Peter Soto, 5, and Elissa Celia Soto, 4, according to the Go Fund Page set up by Sonia Torres, Soto's mother. Cruz is also survived by a 1-year-old daughter.

Soto's brother, Lisette, said Soto and Cruz spent many years together. "Elianna was one woman that Petey always, never stopped, loving,'' she wrote on the Go Fund Me page. "I spent much time with my brother. I know how much my brother loved Elianna. I know how much he loved his children. This is absolutely devastating for our families. Through these difficult times we are supporting each other. We talk about our losses and our sadness. We lean on each other for support. We will make sure that the love and exuberant lives of my big brother Pete and Elianna will always be felt in the hearts of those they left behind."

Lisette said the 1-year-old, Keilani, has her mother's spirit. "She is beautiful and has wonderful big blue eyes,'' Lisette said. "She is always protected by her older siblings. Nicholas and Elissa love their sister. They will tell you themselves. She has that spirit that her mother had. We will ensure that's Keilani and her big brother and big sister will always be with one another, to always support and love each other. We definitely know the value of family."

Cruz was in the passenger seat of a parked car when a suspect fired through the driver's side window at the male driver, police said. The bullet instead struck Cruz, police said. Soto died when another driver crashed into his car while going at a high rate of speed on Main Street.

To make a donation through the Go Fund Me page, click here.

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