Marquez remains critical

LUBBOCK Cpl. Abel Marquez’s family has decided to give him a bit more time.

He fought, and his family hoped for the best, but they know time may be running out.

“We got our hopes up - we’re just not optimistic,” Cpl. Phillip Marquez, the injured officer’s brother, said. “He’s a fighter, but we don’t think he’s going to make it.”

Abel Marquez was taken to University Medical Center in Lubbock after he was shot Saturday evening in the 2900 block of Ventura Avenue. Two other officers were killed in the same shooting.

A University Medical Center employee said the officer remains in critical condition.

While Abel Marquez was originally given a 12-hour watch by University Medical Center doctors, his parents decided to not “let him go,” Phillip Marquez said.

“My parents have changed their minds and want to wait a few days to see if there is any improvement,” Phillip Marquez said. “We’re not optimistic though. We’re going to wait until Thursday.”

The family decided to wait for fear of making the wrong decision, Sgt. Pete Marquez, another brother, said.

“We want to make sure we’re making the right choice,” Pete Marquez said. “We’re

afraid that we’ll ask ourselves if we acted too quickly.”

The family’s not happy about the number of media outlets falsly reporting Abel’s death.

“It gives us the impression that everybody is ready to get rid of him,” Pete Marquez said. “It’s like they’re already burying him.”

Through it all, they are waiting for the best, Pete Marquez said he has “little hope.”

“They shined light in his eyes, and his pupils didn’t contract,” he said. “There’s very little brain activity.”

Even with bleak hope, Phillip Marquez said he’s hoping for a miracle.

“Medical science did everything it could,” he said. “Now we’re hoping that prayers will be answered.”