María Elena Colmenero-Silva was 19 when she was killed on July 18, 1984, in the San Ysidro McDonald’s massacre in San Diego, California. She was among 21 people slain when 41-year-old James Oliver Huberty opened fire inside the restaurant; María Elena was struck by a single gunshot to the chest and was one of the first victims. The attack lasted about 77 minutes before Huberty was fatally shot by a police sniper.

Huberty was armed with a Browning HP, an Uzi, and a Winchester 1200 pump-action shotgun. Reports note he had tried to obtain mental health help days earlier but was unable to get an appointment because of a clerical error. Funerals for the victims, including María Elena, drew thousands; she was buried at La Vista Memorial Park in National City, San Diego County. There were no other suspects named.

Does anyone have memories of María Elena or information about her life that could help keep her story remembered?