The Wilmer community gathered on Thursday evening for a vigil in honor of 10-year-old Ian Aguilar and his deceased mother, Zuleika Lopez-Arzate. The tragic circumstances of Lopez-Arzate's death and Ian's disappearance have caused a wave of grief in a tight-knit Texan town as reported by NBC DFW.
Purple and blue balloons, flowers, and candles were placed on the sidewalk in front of Aguilar’s home to show sympathy and support. Zuri Lopez, Ian's sister, spoke at the vigil about the ordinary conversation she had with her mother the evening before her body was found. Zuri, at the vigil, recalled the emotional memory. "Her and Ian were getting ready for bed for the next day. He was watching Aladdin. The last thing that she said to me was she loved me. The last thing I said to her was that I love her too," according to by NBC DFW.
While mourning Arzate's loss, a faithful City of Dallas employee for 19 years, the community is also faced with the urgent task of finding Ian, a boy on the autism spectrum with medical needs. A statement by the City of Dallas reads, "Zuleika Arzate-Lopez was a beloved member of the Development Services family and her department is grieving the news of her passing. As a dedicated City of Dallas employee for 19 years, her presence is sorely missed. Our deepest condolences are with her family and we pray that Ian will be found safe and unharmed", per NBC DFW.
An AMBER alert for Ian has been issued by the Dallas County Sheriff's Department. They suspect the boy's father, Juan Aguilar-Cano, 38, who is also being considered a suspect in Lopez-Arzate's murder, to have abducted him. Aguilar-Cano's car was discovered near a Tornado Bus Company in Houston, but neither he nor his son were found, raising suspicions of a potential Mexico crossing, where Aguilar-Cano was born according to FOX4 News.
Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown stated "This is a very fluid, very active investigation. It's still fresh. So we are continuing to do our due diligence in terms of the investigation" as cited by FOX4 News.
Given the urgency of the situation, Zuri Lopez urged the public to aid rescue efforts by sharing her brother's picture and the message across all platforms and agencies. With Ian needing his mother's regular care, it's crucial for him to be tracked and returned safely to his family.
The Wilmer Police Department has solicited any information regarding the abduction or the whereabouts of Ian Aguilar. Contact can be made at 972-441-6565.
