Family: Lifelong friends were heroes

Heroes. Not victims.

That’s how Laura Robinson hopes the community will remember her daughter Harley Cisneros and lifelong friend Taryn Allen.

Cisneros and Allen, both 23 of Texico, were killed May 3 at Ned Houk Park by a man police say they did not know.

Alek Collins, 26, of Houston is charged with two counts of murder, abuse of a child and kidnapping in connection with the violence, which left Sofia Mae Cisneros, 5, critically injured and Eleia Maria Torres, 10 months, missing for three days.

Collins also faces charges of robbery and assault on a police officer in Abilene, Texas, where he was captured with Eleia on May 6.

Public memorial services for both women were scheduled over the weekend.

“Harley not only knew a lot of people but also touched a lot of lives,” Laura and husband Mike Robinson told The News in a written statement on Wednesday.

The Robinsons said both of Harley’s children are recovering from their ordeal.

“Sofia amazes us daily with her progress. Eleia is happy and healthy, but nothing can bring their mother back,” the Robinsons said.

“These two girls are so brave and courageous.”

Harley and Taryn met when they were in diapers, growing up together in Texico, the family said.

“They went to school together, lived one street over from each other. They were extremely close throughout life.”

The Robinsons said they wanted “everyone to know what a great mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend Harley was.

“We would like the community to remember her and Taryn as heroes, not victims. They are heroes in the truest sense, having laid down their own lives to try and protect and save Sofia and Eleia from harm.

“A mother’s love is the ultimate sacrifice, for she gives everything for her children.”

Matt Chandler, an attorney representing the Cisneros family, said Wednesday that Sofia remained in a Lubbock hospital recovering from a gunshot wound.

“We are hopeful she will be released in the next few weeks.”

Families of both Cisneros and Allen provided obituary information for the Muffley Funeral Home website.

“Harley loved more than anything to spend time with her kids and do anything arts and crafts. She also enjoyed riding motorcycles and reading (and always being right),” Cisneros’ tribute reads in part.

Allen’s included: “Taryn loved babies and wanted one of her own. She loved being a second mom to her friend’s children.”

Amy Jo Robinson, Allen’s mother, said her daughter was a certified nurse’s assistant and she loved to “help older people.”

She said Taryn and Harley were always at each others’ houses when they were growing up, sometimes arguing over who would be “boss,” but forever friends.

Taryn moved to Austin, Texas, as an adult, but had recently returned to Texico to address an ongoing medical issue brought on by an automobile accident when she was 4.

She quickly renewed her friendship with Harley and set about getting to know Harley’s children.

“They just always got along and had fun together,” Amy Jo Robinson said.

The Texas man accused in the homicides will be returning to New Mexico to face federal charges, according to a news release issued Tuesday night by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Collins appeared before a federal judge in Abilene on Tuesday morning on a charge of interstate kidnapping in connection with the slayings.

Following the court hearing, according to the news release, it was determined Collins will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his transfer to New Mexico for further proceedings.

Clovis District Attorney Quentin Ray said he is not sure where Collins will be jailed. The federal charges were filed in Bernalillo County.

The date of Collins’ return to New Mexico was not immediately clear.

Court records released Tuesday also detailed how police in Abilene arrested Collins early on the morning of May 6.

Records show police had tracked Collins to a residence in Abilene using a GPS system on his rented vehicle.

According to court records:

“(W)hile law enforcement was preparing to execute a search warrant at the residence, they observed an Uber driver operating a Cadillac SUV arrive on the street in front of the home.

“A black male, later determined to be Collins, exited the residence carrying a baby. He placed the baby on the rear passenger seat of the SUV and got into the front passenger seat. Collins then carjacked the Uber driver at gunpoint, forcing the driver to exit the vehicle, after which Collins drove away in the Cadillac with the child.

“Law enforcement officers of the Abilene Police Department Narcotics Unit pursued and pinned the Cadillac, forcing it to a stop. The male driver was arrested and identified to be Collins. The baby was recovered safely.”