In March 2023, Frances Lucero was shot and killed outside her own home after an argument with her ex-boyfriend.
The most heartbreaking part — the shooting happened in front of their two children, just 3 and 4 years old.
A jury later found Romier Taguiam Narag guilty, and a judge sentenced him to 64 years to life in prison,
Gone Too Soon: How Frances Lucero’s Death Devastated Those She Loved
On a quiet afternoon in Daly City, just outside San Francisco, a moment of violence shattered a family forever. What began as an argument between former partners quickly turned into a tragedy that would leave two young children without their mother and a community struggling to understand how such a devastating act could happen.
At the center of the case was Frances Lucero, a young mother remembered by those who knew her as kind, devoted, and deeply loving toward her children. Her life was brutally cut short in March 2023, when her ex-boyfriend, Romier Taguiam Narag, shot her during a confrontation outside her home.
The violence unfolded in front of the two people who loved her most—her young children.
The Argument That Turned Deadly
According to investigators and court records, the tragic confrontation began during a heated argument between Narag and Lucero outside her residence in Daly City.
Witnesses described the exchange as intense, but few could have imagined how quickly the situation would escalate.
During the confrontation, Narag suddenly pulled out a firearm.
Moments later, multiple shots rang out.
Two of the bullets struck Lucero in the back. She collapsed, fatally wounded, before emergency responders could arrive. The attack happened in the presence of the couple’s two young children, who were only three and four years old at the time.
In seconds, their world changed forever.
What should have been an ordinary afternoon at home instead became the moment they lost their mother.
A Mother Remembered
For those who knew Frances Lucero, the tragedy was almost impossible to comprehend.
She was more than a victim in a criminal case. She was a daughter, a sister, a loyal friend, and above all, a mother who dedicated her life to raising her children with love and care.
Friends described her as someone who always made time for the people around her. She celebrated others’ successes and stood beside them during difficult times.
Those closest to her often spoke about her warmth and generosity.
“She was the most genuine, thoughtful, loyal, and ambitious woman we were blessed to know,” friends wrote in messages shared online after her death.
Her love for her children defined her life. Everything she did, they said, was motivated by the desire to give them a better future.
That future, however, was stolen in a single act of violence.
The Investigation and Arrest
Police quickly launched an investigation following the shooting. Evidence gathered at the scene and witness accounts pointed directly to Narag.
He was arrested and later charged with first-degree murder as well as child endangerment, given that the shooting occurred in front of the children.
For prosecutors, the case was both clear and deeply disturbing. Not only had a life been taken, but the trauma inflicted on the children would likely follow them for the rest of their lives.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony about the events leading up to the shooting, including the volatile nature of the relationship between Narag and Lucero.
After reviewing the evidence, the jury found Narag guilty.
The Sentencing
Last week, Narag returned to court to face the final stage of the legal process: sentencing.
Standing before the judge, he addressed the court and apologized for his actions. Yet his words also revealed something troubling.
While expressing regret, he attempted to shift part of the blame onto Lucero.
“She pushed my buttons and it just happened,” he told the court.
The statement drew strong reactions in the courtroom. For many, it sounded less like accountability and more like an attempt to justify the violence.
The judge rejected that explanation entirely.
In delivering the sentence—64 years to life in prison—the judge made a powerful statement about the consequences of Narag’s actions.
“The defendant has orphaned his own children,” the judge said. “The devastation will last their entire lives.”
Those words captured the reality of the tragedy more clearly than any legal argument.
Two children had lost their mother.
And their father would spend most of his life behind bars.
A Grandmother’s Burden
Now, the responsibility of raising the children has fallen to Lucero’s mother, Liezel Chan Lucero.
For her, grief and responsibility have arrived at the same time.
She must not only mourn the loss of her daughter but also step forward as the primary caregiver for her grandchildren.
The emotional toll is immense.
The children are still too young to fully understand what happened, yet they feel the absence of their mother every day.
Liezel has spoken about the heartbreaking questions they ask.
Sometimes they simply want to know if they can contact their mother.
“Is there a way to get ahold of my mom?” they ask.
For a grandmother trying to hold her family together, those questions are almost impossible to answer.
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy sent shockwaves through Daly City and neighboring communities.
Friends, neighbors, and even strangers expressed grief and support for Lucero’s family. Many remembered her kindness and the positive impact she had on the people around her.
To help support the children’s future, friends organized fundraising efforts in Lucero’s name.
One campaign described her as “a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, and friend who touched countless lives.”
The outpouring of support became a reminder that even in the darkest moments, communities can come together to help those who are grieving.
The Lasting Impact
While the courtroom has delivered a sentence, the emotional consequences of the crime will continue for years.
Lucero’s children will grow up without the person who was meant to guide them through life’s most important moments—birthdays, school milestones, graduations, and countless everyday memories.
For her family, the loss is permanent.
And for the children, the trauma of witnessing that loss may shape their lives in ways that are still impossible to measure.
Remembering Frances
In the midst of grief, those who loved Frances Lucero continue to focus on the life she lived rather than the violence that ended it.
They remember her laughter, her loyalty, and the devotion she showed to her children.
They remember the way she supported her friends and family without hesitation.
And they remember the love she gave so freely.
Though her life was taken far too soon, the impact she had on those around her remains powerful.
Her story now stands as both a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of violence and a tribute to a woman whose love continues to live on in the people she left behind.
