Family of woman shot and killed in West Phoenix parking lot holds car wash for funeral expenses

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - We now know the identity of a woman shot and killed in a West Phoenix parking lot. Now her family is trying to raise money for her funeral.

Dozens of people went to car wash fundraiser to show their support for Nicole Martinez, who leaves behind a 16-year-old daughter.

According to her sister, Martinez, a 34-year-old paraplegic, taught math and science at College America, helping students earn their GED.

Known as a loving mother who left a positive impact on people she cared for, her sister planned to see her Friday, but on Thursday night, police say a suspect or suspects shot and killed Martinez in a parking lot near North 45th and West Virginia Avenues. Two others got shot - one man dead and another woman in critical condition.

Police have not identified the suspect or suspects in this triple shooting. But one family is struggling without any information on who killed 34-year-old Nicole Martinez, a mother who leaves behind a heartbroken teenage daughter.

"She was an inspiration to everybody," said Annette Martinez, Nicole's sister. "She loved everybody. It's a big loss, a very big loss and we miss her."

"My mom was the closest thing I had," said Akira Arias. "She was my everything - she was my rock. I'm kind of in shock. I don't [want to] believe it. I keep calling her and she's not picking up."

"It affects everybody," Annette went on to say. "There's a big community that if affected because she was out there for everybody. It wasn't just our family - it was all the friends and all her students and everybody that leaned on her."

Nicole's family has started a GoFundMe to help assist with funeral expenses.