Pomona, CA. --- Florence Anderson, a 71-year-old woman living on the 700 block of Mayfair Avenue, was shot and killed on August 26, 2008, with two others wounded in the front yard of her Pomona home.
Laid to rest on September 5, 2008 at Pomona Valley Memorial Park, Anderson was born in Jones Louisiana, was Evangelist, a prominent figure in the community and was known for having a huge heart and taking the time to care for neighborhood children; especially extended family members who had a tough home life.
Arriving at her home around 9:30 p.m., officers found Anderson with bullet wounds to her upper body, Pomona Police said in a statement. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbors are baffled, but some believe the shooting may be gang related. One neighbor says the house had been targeted before.
Her nephew Calvin Wimbley and his 17-year-old son were struck in the leg, but Anderson was struck several times in the chest and head and was declared dead at the scene. Police however do not believe she was the intended target and as of this date have no motive or suspects.
In a recent interview with KNBC-TV, Anderson’s daughter Brenda Tribble said, "She's a person that helps many people, drug addicts, alcoholics, whoever. She would let them stay there, because they didn't have anywhere to stay. They would always rip her off, but she'd still kept helping them. She said that's what God called her to do.” Inland Valley African American Pastors are calling for Hispanic churches and congregations to come together and a call for peace and an end to violence.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Pomona Police Tip line at (909) 620-2085.