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Little League donates funds to children of shooting victim

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The children of a Cape Coral woman who was fatally shot by her boyfriend are one step closer to college thanks to a local Little League organization.
On Wednesday, the Cape Coral American Little League donated $500 to the Property Debt Research Education Trust fund for the benefit of Jordan and Nathan Abrams at Wachovia. Nathan, son of Kelly Kristen Abrams, played in the league’s tee-ball program for the first time this year.
“We just felt that the kids really needed the money rather than doing any improvements on the park,” said Jeff Koza, the league’s president. “It was pretty much a no-brainer. We just thought it was the right thing to do.”
Abrams, 31, was shot and killed by Ricardo Marrero, 44, at about 4:10 p.m., May 29, at 2731 S.W. Second Lane, according to a police report. Marrero then used the firearm on himself. Both were pronounced dead on scene by medics.
Property Debt Research Inc., where Abrams worked for two years as an operations manager and client relations, set up the Wachovia bank account for Abram’s daughter and son, 7-year-old Jordan and 5-year-old Nathan. The account will serve as a trust fund for the children’s higher education needs.
Koza believes this is the first time the league has donated to such a cause.
“We know they’re going to need college funds in the future and this and that,” he said. “We’re just hoping that everybody that can donate does.”
“Those kids are going to need it,” Koza added.
The league has also decided to drop future registration fees and such for Nathan if his guardian decides to keep him in Little League. The same offer applies to his sister, Jordan, if she has any interest in signing up in the future.
According to the police report, the shootings took place when Abrams took steps to end her relationship with Marrero. She had packed up his belongings at the home they shared, and then called Marrero at work to tell him where he could pick up his things. About 15 minutes later, he arrived at the home.
Witnesses, who were present to support Abrams in the breakup, told police that Marrero walked into the home and Abrams followed him to a bedroom in the back. After hearing Abrams scream, one witness went for the bedroom. The witness saw Marrero hold Abrams by her hair and shoot her in the head.
According to the report, the witness “freaked out” and ran from the room yelling “he just shot her” and then dialed 911. Marrero was reportedly angry and he and Abrams were arguing in the back bedroom before he fatally shot her and then turned the gun on himself. A revolver was located on the floor.
Four children were present in the home at the time of the shootings, police reported. None of the children, nor any of the witnesses, sustained injuries.
According to jail booking records, Marrero had no prior arrests in Lee County.
To donate to the fund for the children, visit any Wachovia branch and designate the funds for the Property Debt Research Education Trust FBO Jordan and Nathan Abrams.
The Cape Coral American Little League has been operating for 18 years at Koza/Saladino Park, located at 301 S.W. 30th Terrace. For more information about the Cape Coral American Little League, visit www.ccalittleleague.com.