Anti-gang activist Evelyn Rodriguez remembered for her courage

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - Evelyn Rodriguez fought in her daughter's memory until the day she died.

"We're going to continue this for her, we're going to continue this fight," one community activist said. " "It's not going to stop."

The beloved mother became a leading advocate against gang violence after her 16-year-old daughter Kayla Cuevas and her best friend Nisa Mickens were brutally beaten by members of MS-13.

Last Friday, she was tragically run over by an SUV in the same area where the girls were found dead exactly two years ago.

Police said it happened about an hour before a planned candlelight vigil in memory of Kayla and Nisa. She and her lifelong partner Freddy Cuevas got into a heated argument with someone over the placement of a memorial.

Rodriguez fought tirelessly to rid Brentwood and the surrounding communities of gang violence and was placed in the national spotlight when she attended President Trump's State of the Union address in January.

Dozens of people showed up at her wake on Thursday to remember Rodriguez for her strength and perseverance.

"She could've easily panicked after her daughter was killed. She could have blamed the whole world, she had every right to," Rep. Peter King said. "Instead she decided to make sure that no other parent would have to go through what she went through."

A funeral for Rodriguez was held Friday morning followed by graveside services where she was to be buried beside her daughter.