Family says women killed at Clovis park were heroes, not victims

Note: The above video is from the evening of May 14, 2024.

LUBBOCK, Texas — The family of the two women who were killed at Ned Houk Memorial Park outside of Clovis want Samantha “Harley” Cisneros and Taryn Allen to be remembered as heroes instead of as victims, an attorney for Cisneros’s family told EverythingLubbock.com on Thursday.

Matt Chandler said through the investigation, the families are learning the young women, both 23, fought to protect Cisneros’s children, who are now recovering after the incident.

Chandler said Sophia, the 5-year-old who was hurt in the shooting and taken to a Lubbock hospital, is progressing and has gone through several medical procedures. Her family is hopeful she can be released in the next few weeks. Baby Eleia, the 10-month-old who was abducted by 26-year-old Alek Collins, is home recovering with family.

Chandler said Cisneros and Allen grew up together as best friends in Texico. Allen loved Cisneros’s babies as her own, Chandler said, and wanted to have her own children someday.

“They sacrificed their lives for her kids,” Chandler said.

Chandler described Cisneros and Allen’s families as humble. There are plenty of mixed emotions with the grieving process, Chandler said. While the families aren’t actively asking for donations, Chandler said anything helps while they navigate the justice system, medical bills and hotel stays due to Sophia’s injuries.

Click here to help Cisneros’s family . Click here to help Allen’s family.

Cisneros’s obituary described her as a loving mother who enjoyed arts and crafts, riding motorcycles and reading. Allen was described as an adventurous person who enjoyed exploring and was a second mom to her friend’s children.

Related coverage:

• Clovis Police investigating double homicide, abduction of infant
• FBI asks for public’s help, baby kidnapped after Clovis double homicide
• UPDATE: Baby girl found alive after Clovis abduction, double homicide
• Texas man named as Clovis double homicide and kidnapping suspect
• Clovis homicide suspect told FBI he would ‘murder a bunch of children’ in 2023
• Clovis kidnapping and double murde r suspect carjacked Uber driver at gunpoint

Collins, the suspect in the shooting and kidnapping, was arrested in Abilene. He was charged with the murders of Cisneros and Allen, assaulting the 5-year-old and kidnapping the baby. He will be transferred back to New Mexico for additional court proceedings. As of Thursday, he remained in custody on a hold for the United States Marshals.

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