‘Terrible tragedy’: National organization joins push for justice in Fort Campbell soldier’s death

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nearly a week after a Fort Campbell soldier was found dead in her Clarksville home, people in multiple states are seeking answers about who killed Pfc. Katia Duenas-Aguilar and why.

“She wanted to serve her country; she volunteered to join the Army,” Domingo Garcia, the national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), told News 2.

At just 23 years old, loved ones said Duenas-Aguilar dedicated her life to service. The young, decorated soldier, from Mesquite, Texas, was described as full of life, charismatic, and a loving mother of a 4-year-old.

Fort Campbell soldier killed in Clarksville home

“That’s why this is so bizarre that somebody would take her life,” said Garcia.

LULAC has joined Duenas-Aguilar’s family’s efforts to get justice.

Meanwhile, the Clarksville Police Department has released few details about the homicide investigation, only saying that officers responded to an ambulance call shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 in the 900 block of Tiny Town Road, where they found Duenas-Aguilar dead inside her apartment.

“The mother is still in shock, still grieving, and unfortunately, this is not something they expected that would happen to their daughter. Maybe something that would happen overseas, but not here in Tennessee, not here in the United States,” Garcia explained, adding that Duenas-Aguilar’s loved ones are still in shock.

Friend calls for justice in murder of Fort Campbell soldier

As the nation’s largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization, LULAC is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in connection with Duenas-Aguilar’s death.

“Members put in money, they’re all volunteers, and this is from them wanting to help this particular family get justice for their daughter and make sure that the murderer doesn’t get away with this crime,” LULAC’s president told News 2.

It’s a move the organization said it has made before in the death of another Latina soldier, Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen, so Garcia hopes this will bring Duenas-Aguilar’s case to the nation’s attention.

Latino civil rights organization offers $25K reward for info on death of Fort Campbell soldier

“It’s a major case here in the Dallas area cause she was here from Mesquite High School, a suburb of Dallas. She was with the ROTC and she had a bright career ahead of her and it’s just shocking that somebody would end that in this type of way and we want to find out who did that, bring them to justice, and get the family what they deserve and need after this terrible, terrible tragedy,” said Garcia.

In addition to offering the reward, LULAC has a national phone number where tips can be submitted anonymously: 202-833-6130. However, if you want to share information directly with Clarksville police, contact Detective Hofinga at 931-648-0656, ext. 5720.

Meanwhile, Garcia said LULAC plans to take additional steps if the homicide case isn’t resolved soon, adding that the organization is considering bringing outside investigators in for the case, as well as seeking resources from the FBI.

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