Family and friends gathered Sunday evening for the two women who were nearly killed in a fire at a South Bay 7-Eleven.
“I’m kind of numb with emotions,” said Dominic Rivera, one of the victim’s sons.
At approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a fire at the 7-Eleven in Chula Vista on 899 Broadway. Once they arrived, they found a woman with burn injuries leaving the store and then heard another person inside who also suffered burn injuries. That woman had to be pulled out as she was unable to move on her own, CVPD Sgt. Anthony Molina said.
Both victims, who were identified as 7-Eleven employees, were taken to a hospital.
Fire crews managed to extinguish the fire. Sgt. Molina said no customers were in the store at the time of the fire and no other people were injured.
Dominic’s mother, identified by him as Amanda Buchannan, suffered potentially life-threatening burns from the fire.
“I went and visited my mom today and I could hardly look at her and hardly even recognize her,” he said.
According to investigators, Jose Carlos Villanueva, 47, is believed to be responsible for the fire. Based on initial evidence it is believed Villanueva used a flammable liquid before lighting the fire, according to investigators.
He is in custody after being arrested in Redlands.
“For the last six months she was trying to leave this guy,” said Alma Ogden, a friend and roommate of Amanda and says she was always worried about her.
“She was in a relationship with him since November of 2022, but I never really took to him. I always thought he was a bad person. There were a lot of factors and there were a lot of red flags,” she said.
Villanueva is being charged with multiple felonies including first-degree attempted murder and arson.
On Sunday, family and friends of one of the victims, Amanda Buchannan, gathered at the scene of the crime to hold a vigil for their loved one.
The group prayed and spoke about their heartfelt memories with Buchannan.
“I want to be with her every step of the way. I just want her to know I’m always going to be by her side,” Rivera said.
Villanueva is expected in court on Wednesday to be arraigned.
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