Posted August 9, 2012
The Omaha woman wounded numerous times in a drive-by shooting last Saturday died on Thursday. Twenty-year-old Valencia Hogan had been declared brain dead.
Her mother, LaShari Hogan, told Channel 6 News Wednesday that Valencia would be taken off life support and her organs would be donated. LaShari said she takes comfort knowing her daughter will continue to give even after her death.
Valencia was shot in the driveway of the Nathan Townhomes at 16th and Willis early last Saturday morning.
A fund has been set up through Wells Fargo to help the family. Donations may be made to the Valencia Hogan Account at any bank branch.
Twenty-year-old Valencia Hogan was found in a driveway of the Nathan Townhomes at 16th and Willis around 1 a.m.
A mother, choked with emotion, remains at her daughter's bedside. Valencia Hogan was critically injured when she was hit by gunfire early Saturday morning.
LaShari Hogan said her daughter Valencia is a woman of purpose and life. She says Valencia has a youthful smile that can captivate a room. Monday, the 20-year-old was listed in critical condition. Three gunshot wounds to Hogan’s neck, shoulder and leg have caused brain and spinal damage.
"I just don't understand why my baby is sitting up there fighting for her life when she has done nothing to anybody," LaShari said.
It was early Saturday morning LaShari said her daughter and her boyfriend stopped at another friend's house near the corner of 16th and Willis. Less than 20 minutes later gun shots rang out. Witnesses said upwards of 18 shots were fired.
"She was face down, on the ground and they see all this blood,” LaShari said.
Police say the gunman ran between two houses, shot at the group, then darted down a nearby alley and got into a black car. Witnesses said the car drove away northbound on 16th street.
LaShari, a mother of two, was at work during the shooting. She decided to check her phone for messages. LaShari’s second daughter, Valisha, told her that Valencia had been shot and was in surgery.
"She's telling me you need to get up here Mom,” LaShari said. “You need to get up here, they won't let now body see her, and you got to get up here you got to get up here.”
A mother now pleads for justice, trying to understand why someone would shoot her daughter.
"Have you not ever lost nobody, in your life?” LaShari said. “I mean do you not know the pain you have inflicted on people and their families, my heart is so heavy right now.”
Valencia Hogan is on a ventilator and can open her eyes. However, she doesn't respond when asked to squeeze a hand. She is still in too fragile condition to remove the two bullets that are still inside her body.
Valencia works at First Data to help pay for school. She was finishing up her schooling at Vatterotte College; she was planning to work with a local orthodontist to earn credit for an externship. Eventually Valencia plans to attend Iowa Western Community College to become a dental hygienist. She graduated from Burke High School in 2010.
LaShire Hogan asked the community for prayers and information about the shooting. Omaha Police said if anyone has information, they can call (402) 444-7867.
