Mother of 2012 murder victim speaks out about suspect's arrest

ORLANDO, Fla. — The mother of a man who was gunned down in a downtown Orlando parking garage three years ago said she is relieved a suspect has been caught.

Pedro Gallardo was with a group of friends when he was killed in June 2012.

Raw: Mom speaks to WFTV about arrest of son's alleged killer

His accused killer was caught as he went to get a haircut in the Dominican Republic.

Gallardo’s mother, Rebecca Sanchez, said she is determined to make sure Ronny Batista, 28, doesn’t slip away again.

“I have flashbacks of my son being in the hospital. I thought he was going to make it, but he didn’t,” Sanchez said.

After years on the run, Gallardo’s alleged killer appeared before a judge this week.

Batista was brought back to Orange County, where he is facing first-degree murder charges.

“He was having a good life, getting haircuts, going to bars, hanging out, when I’m here crying every day. I can’t sleep at night and he was having a good life,” Sanchez said.

Deputies said in June 2012, Gallardo went to a club in downtown Orlando. His friends got into an argument with a group of six men inside a parking garage on West Colonial Boulevard.

Batista fired one shot at Gallardo, hitting him in the back of the head, deputies said.

Sanchez watched her son struggle in the hospital for six days while he was on life support.

Batista is being held in the Orange County Jail without bond.

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