Melissa Brockie, director of New Day Centers at UMOM in Phoenix, Ariz., details domestic violence or interpersonal violence. She explains its warning signs and resources available to victims. Nick Serpa/azcentral Unfailingly kind and capable beyond her years. That's how Jordin Castillo's family remembers her. It was natural for her to earn the love and admiration of those who had the chance to cross paths with her. A 20-year-old mom, Castillo gave everything for her 2-year-old daughter, Malia, with the same selfless care that she always showed to all who surrounded her. Her loved ones said she was taking brave steps and was set to reach great heights, were it not for the sudden and untimely end that marked her story. "I'm broken. It's like the light went out in my world," Katina Castillo, Jordin's mother, told The Arizona Republic. "I'll never be the same. I'll miss her every day." Three months ago, Castillo was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend, according to what Glendale police reported in early June. Amidst mourning her death, Castillo's family and friends are ensuring other victims of domestic violence facing similar circumstances find a way out of their situation before it's too late. In the afternoon of June 4, calls came to Glendale police regarding "some type of altercation" at an apartment complex near Northern and 51st avenues. Officers found three women with gunshot wounds; Castillo was among them. Police said a man, who they later identified as Rueben Xavier Rocha, 22, broke into Castillo's third-floor apartment by breaking a glass door on the balcony. He fired multiple rounds at three of the six occupants inside, striking all three and ultimately killing Castillo before fleeing, according to police. Among the occupants was Malia, who survived the incident. Rocha turned himself into the police and was arrested the day following the shooting, police said. One of the victims told investigators she identified Rocha immediately despite him wearing all black, a ski mask and hoodie over his head. She also identified him in a photo lineup, according to documents obtained by The Arizona Republic in June. "I can't yet grasp the idea that someone could so coldheartedly just walk into a room and just shoot up while knowing your baby is in there," Mercedes Castillo, Jordin's aunt, said. "Everyone's hurt by this. It's not even just my family, the whole community is shaken by this." Mercedes said the first couple of days after her death were rough for Jordin's daughter. "She was there when everything happened, so when we got her at the hospital, the first thing she said was 'Mommy hurt', 'Mommy got owie.' That was the first thing that she said to us," Mercedes said. "After what happened, everyone has been showering (Malia) with love. She will be with us from now on, with her family." A GoFundMe was set up to help cover funeral expenses and support Castillo's daughter, while another was set up to support one of the victims, who family members said is Castillo's best friend. Castillo was both quick-witted and warm-hearted in essence, a combination that her loved ones said made her stand out and helped her reach significant milestones early in life. Since childhood, Katina said Jordin accomplished anything she would set her mind to. At 15, she obtained her driver's permit, and the following year Castillo had her driver's license and was working her first job. By 20, Jordin had a place of her own and was starting a career as a support service aid for the City of Phoenix Water Services Department, Katina said. "She was doing so well," Katina said. "She was 20, starting a career. She was only in her position for three weeks, and her team fell in love with her, they just knew she was going to excel." Her tenacity also showed true when at 18 she found out she was pregnant. Jordin embraced motherhood with unwavering dedication since day one, Katina said, surprising everyone around her. Malia became Jordin's top priority and the foremost receiver of her loving nature, which Katina said is reflected in the little girl's affection and intelligence. "Jordin was 4'11" and 90 pounds, but she was a little firecracker. She was determined to make a better life for her and her daughter." Katina told The Republic. "I was very proud of her." Jordin enjoyed being with family and friends, especially going biking, shopping and trying new restaurants with them. She was many things, but many would summarize her personality in one word: "a giver." "I think that's what I'm going to miss the most about her: her giving heart," Katina said amid tears. "She would go out of her way to make us all feel special." Elijah Castillo, Jordin's brother, recalled receiving presents from her on every special occasion. She would surprise him with gifts, spontaneously bringing him food for them to enjoy together, and frequently reaching out through texts and calls without any specific reasons or explanations. Jordin, the youngest of four siblings, would have turned 21 on Aug. 7, Elijah said. "My little sister had many plans for her turning 21." Elijah said. "It comes in waves of anger and sadness. She was a part of our everyday life. I could not imagine a life without any of my siblings, let alone my little sister, because she was the chain link in our family. Figuring out life without her will be pretty rough." According to Katina, there were previous domestic violence episodes between Jordin and her ex-boyfriend before the incident where she lost her life. In repeated occasions, Jordin was attacked both physically and mentally by her ex-boyfriend, Katina said. When police interviewed witnesses and neighbors of Jordin, one said that Rocha had been violent with her in the past. It wasn't immediately clear if any of these incidents had been reported to the authorities. Jordin was one of many Latinas who are subjected to a domestic violence situation. According to Esperanza United, a national network that mobilizes Latino communities to end gender-based violence, about 1 in 3 Latinas experience some form of domestic violence, and often, due to language barriers and cultural expectations, they find it harder to seek help. Jordin tried to give the relationship time to make it work, Katina said. She stayed in hopes of, one day, having a functional and loving family for the sake of her daughter. Around April of this year, Jordin had begun looking for a new place where her boyfriend wouldn't find her, Katina said. "She was finally protecting herself and saying 'we're done with this. I can't take this anymore.' And she was trying to move forward," Katina said. "She was doing it for her baby, but she realized being in that relationship wasn't going to be your normal, happy family." According to Cindy Garcia, director of Chicanos Por La Causa's domestic violence program De Colores, it can take a lot of courage for a domestic violence victim to get out of an abusive relationship. "The most dangerous time for any survivor is when they decide to leave, because that is when their abuser is losing power and control over them, and they may make very dangerous and rash decisions," Garcia said. "It's very important to make a plan." Garcia explained domestic violence specialists at De Colores provide victims with options that range from shelters and community-based services, to relocation and getting authorities involved. "They don't have to do this alone. We ensure to provide all of the options and guide them through the process, but it is their choice of what they want to do and when they want to do it." Around the same time she moved, Jordin also got a restraining order. As she moved on from the abusive relationship, Katina said Jordin began to see a positive turn for her and her daughter. "But the reality that we learned is that an order of protection is just a piece of paper," Katina stated as her voice cracked with sadness. "It doesn't protect you in any way, shape or form, as she thought that it would." Legal advocates at domestic violence organizations like De Colores can provide information on parental rights, victim rights, orders of protection and court accompaniment, among other services. "Many women feel that it's better to keep the family together, but the trauma that children will go through when they are in an abusive household is so inmense," Garcia said. "We've seen that women are getting murdered. We cannot take that lightly. If your gut is telling you that your partner might kill you, you have to go with that gut." The shelter also recently began allowing pets, which according to Garcia is a much-needed service. According to her, 97% of domestic violence victims nationwide contemplate not leaving their abusive home because they do not want to leave their pets, and only 12% of shelters in the U.S. accept pets. De Colores' shelter in Phoenix provides space for victims to stay with both their pets and their children, Garcia said. A 2022 report by the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence showed that in 2022 there were a total of 101 known domestic violence-related fatalities across Arizona. Of those deaths, 69 were in Maricopa County. The numbers are projected to stay consistent for 2023, the report states. Jordin's family, however, is hoping her story can help prevent that. "I do hope her story reaches somebody," Katina said. "Nobody should have to go through what my daughter did." "She would have been an advocate for anybody who was in her situation," Mercedes said. "Now we want to do that for other people." Katina and Garcia both relayed the following message to Latinas victims of domestic violence: that they have to seek help and there are resources available for them. "Seek help, talk to somebody, there is help out there," Katina said. "At the end, it was too late for Jordin. Her life was taken from her. Taken from us. And that's the hard part about all of this. But it doesn't have to be this way." "The help is there, we are here for you, if you need it and when you are read," Garcia said. "But don't wait on it. Life is too short, and you deserve to be safe." De Colores has a domestic violence hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Victims and family or friends of a victim can call 602-269-1515 to ask questions or request shelter. Resources for Arizonans experiencing domestic violence include: In Arizona, people can call the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, 602-279-2900 or 1-800-782-6400 or visit its website, acesdv.org/helpline. The Phoenix police website, www.phoenix.gov/domesticviolence, has a list of places people can contact in Maricopa County.
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