We are heartbroken by the tragic and unnecessary loss of Vanessa Rentería Valencia.

A refugee from Colombia, Vanessa was just beginning to rebuild her life in Canada. Vanessa recently started attending outreach programs at PIRS and she was scheduled to start English classes at PIRS this week, eager to integrate and advance her future. Those who worked with her remember a kind-hearted woman, devoted to her child, with clear dreams of moving forward. She actively sought community support to help her settle in her new home.

Our thoughts go out to Vanessa’s young child, her family and her community. We mourn her loss with them at this difficult time.

This tragedy highlights the urgent need for improved crisis response and support systems for individuals with limited English proficiency, including refugees. It underscores the importance of culturally sensitive police training and the critical role of community organizations in bridging communication gaps. We demand immediate accountability for this tragedy and call for urgent, enhanced collaboration between law enforcement, social services, and refugee support groups to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future and ensure the safety and well-being of all community members, regardless of their background or language skills.