CRIME

'System failed her': Family decries lack of protection for murdered Winter Haven woman

Ernst Peters
Esmeralda Pocopa sits and cries at a makeshift memorial for her sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca, who was shot and killed June 30. Haines City police say Popoca's estranged boyfriend, Rolando Guevara-Zarate, shot her in the parking lot of La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Haines City after repeatedly stalking and threatened her.
Esmeralda Pocopa sits and cries at a makeshift memorial for her sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca, who was shot and killed June 30. Haines City police say Popoca's estranged boyfriend, Rolando Guevara-Zarate, shot her in the parking lot of La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Haines City after repeatedly stalking and threatened her.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Alicia Pocopa and her brother Mauricio Pocopa look at a makeshift memorial for their sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca, who was shot and killed June 30. Her estranged boyfriend, Rolando Guevara-Zarate, has been indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder and other charges.
Alicia Pocopa and her brother Mauricio Pocopa look at a makeshift memorial for their sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca, who was shot and killed June 30. Her estranged boyfriend, Rolando Guevara-Zarate, has been indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder and other charges.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Alicia Pocopa and her brother Mauricio Pocopa look at a makeshift memorial for their sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca. Yahorany was the mother of six children.
Alicia Pocopa and her brother Mauricio Pocopa look at a makeshift memorial for their sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca. Yahorany was the mother of six children.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Esmerelda Pocopa, Alicia Pocopa and Mauricio Pocopa place balloons at a makeshift memorial for their sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca on July 2.
Esmerelda Pocopa, Alicia Pocopa and Mauricio Pocopa place balloons at a makeshift memorial for their sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca on July 2.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Police say Rolando Guevara-Zarate shot Yahorany "Nani" Popoca several times in the parking lot of La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Haines City on June 30.
Police say Rolando Guevara-Zarate shot Yahorany "Nani" Popoca several times in the parking lot of La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Haines City on June 30.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger
Esmeralda Pocopa sits and cries at a makeshift memorial for her sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca in the parking lot of La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Haines City.
Esmeralda Pocopa sits and cries at a makeshift memorial for her sister Yahorany "Nani" Popoca in the parking lot of La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Haines City.
Ernst Peters/The Ledger