Guerline Noel's family came to the North Miami Beach Police station to make a public plea for help in solving her murder, but the family members were so overcome with emotion, only her husband could muster enough composure to speak at the podium.
"it's very tough, the family's really going through a tough time right now, so it's very tough," said Clauvens Cenor.
Noel's 3-year-old son, Marvin, was at the news conference. Police say Marvin was in his mother's arms when she died.
The family's home became a crime scene on the night of July 3. Noel had gone out to her car to retrieve some books. She was studying to become a registered nurse. Suddenly two armed men forced her back into her home, announced they were robbing the place, and then herded Noel, Marvin, his dad and Noel's sister into the bathroom. Dad climbed out the bathroom window to run for help. Guerline's sister went next, but then one of the men fired his gun through the bathroom door. Guerline was hit, and it was a fatal shot.
"So if you ask me, the victim was a hero, she saved her famly, she gave the ultimate sacrifice which was her own life so that her family could be safe," said North Miami Beach Det. Cora Mann. "Marvin was in the bathroom with his mother, when the victim died, she was holding her son."
Shedeline Noel was in the bathroom with her sister. She escaped through the window just before the barrage of bullets slammed through the door.
"She means a lot for me, she was wonderful sister, she did everything for me," Shedeline Noel said, before breaking down in sobs.
Police released sketches of the robbers. Police are asking anyone with information on who the two gunmen could be to call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
"It could've been your family, one of your loved ones, if anybody see or hear anything, who can help the detective catch them, then do something about it because you could be the one in that situation," said Clauvens Cenor.