Corpus Christi residents commemorate slain shop owner with annual walk to prevent crime

On the night of April 11, Jen Allende will host a memorial walk at Ben’s Community Market in Six Points to honor a respected community member who became a victim of violent crime: her father.

Mostafa “Ben” Bighamian was well known in Corpus Christi’s old town neighborhood, active in politics and always interacting with customers at the family’s convenience store until he was shot and killed there during a robbery on April 14, 2014.

The “10th Annual Walk for Ben” will mark the occasion by giving guests a way to celebrate Bighamian and share their own stories of loved ones whom they’ve lost to violent crimes.

“We’ve held this event for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week every year,” Allende said. “We put it forth as a way to stop the violence, but it’s more about the support and the people who are able to go through this certain tragedy in their life and be able to reach out and come together as a community, show compassion, love and understanding.”

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, organized through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, is held every April to honor crime victims and survivors, recognize the professionals and volunteers who provide critical services to victims of crime, and raise awareness about crime victims’ rights and services. This year, it will occur from April 21 to April 27.

Since its establishment, Nueces County Commissioners, constables, city staff, and the District Attorney have attended the walk that begins at Ben’s store, located at Ayers Street and Brownlee Boulevard. Donna Watkins, the founder of a Homicide Survivors’ Support Group, also speaks frequently to raise awareness about resources that are available to victims’ families, including clothing, supplies and home and funeral services.

As the oldest of Bighamian’s six children, Allende was 30 years old when she lost her father and knows the value of providing a network for people not only to make their voices heard, but to seek justice.

A big part of that is ensuring they have the necessary resources when they are uncertain about what to do, she said.

For instance, people may not know that the City of Corpus Christi offers the Crimes Against Persons Resources program. If a person’s loved one is killed in a homicide, the Victim Assistance Program, or Victim Advocates, can help the person apply for the Crime Victims Compensation Program through the Office of the Attorney General to help with funeral or burial expenses, lost wages or travel expenses for immediate family members affected by the tragedy.

Through the city’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), a lieutenant will review a police report and assign a detective to decide whether to forward the case to the proper agency to file charges. However, detectives are often busy handling many cases, leaving victims with the responsibility of navigating the justice system alone, Allende said.

More support is needed to connect them with nonprofit organizations that specialize in victims’ resources, she said, adding that individuals would also benefit from support groups that coordinate with the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) to keep them aware of upcoming court dates.

Allende said she wants people to “walk the walk” to demonstrate their commitment to funding and implementing programs that have a meaningful impact on crime prevention, including providing opportunities for mentoring and support that will strengthen family and interpersonal relationships.

When she considered the effect that her father’s death had on the family, she recalled how her mother, Thelma Bighamian, stepped up to raise the children and run their store and properties, which was contrary to the Iranian family structure, in which the father traditionally handles the finances.

“It was my mom who was the rock the entire time, and she liked to stay in the background,” Allende said. “She didn’t have a single problem picking up and starting and knowing what to do or where to go.”

She credited her mothers’ strong personality and perseverance with ensuring she and her siblings received an education that led to rewarding careers.

Allende is grateful for the people who were involved in helping with the case. Among them is lead CCPD Detective Eddie Alvarado, who now attends the family’s Thanksgiving dinners.

Bighamian’s killers have been sentenced to prison. The gunman, Daniel Garcia, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.  Arturo Navarro pleaded guilty to murder for 45 years in prison, and Del Victoria Cavazos pleaded guilty to robbery and tampering with evidence for 20 years in prison.

Allende said she hasn’t come to grips with what happened but has learned to put it in its place and not dwell on it. She reflects on her father’s time running the store as a great opportunity, and invites people to attend the upcoming walk in solidarity.

“He came to the U.S. with passion and love for new country, and he loved the interaction with the people in and out, talking to them and hearing their problems,” she said. “Everyone loves the feeling of giving to or embracing someone else and being able to provide for that someone.”

The "10th Annual Walk for Ben” will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 11 at Ben's Community Market at 1602 Ayers Street. Visit the store's Facebook page for details and updates. https://www.facebook.com/BensCommunityMarket/.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: April 11 walk in honor of slain shop owner and national crime victims