Council Gets Plea From Slain Youth’s Mother

Troy Gorena, a 16-year-old Fullerton native, was fatally stabbed outside a friend’s home on March 5, and police who are investigating the case have not yet arrested any suspects.

Devastated by the loss of her son and now frustrated by the fact that the perpetrators are still at large, Bobbi Gorena, the slain youth’s mother, made an emotional plea for help from the City Council this week.

“There’s a $25,000 reward for people who shoot seals on the coast,” she said. “Please let me know and the public know that our children are just as important.”

Mayor Chris Norby said the council will consider her request at a meeting next month. Meanwhile, a tearful Councilwoman Julie Sa offered to donate her next paycheck--about $350--to establish the city’s reward fund.

Gorena said she thinks a reward would be an incentive for witnesses to step forward. Police say the teen was attacked by two males who called him over to the corner of Baker and Richman avenues and assaulted him there.

Troy was a big Dallas Cowboys fan, his mother said, and was wearing an Emmitt Smith jersey when he was attacked. He was buried in an Emmitt Smith T-shirt.

The football team has donated a jersey autographed by the star running back, a football and other memorabilia to help the family raise money for the reward. Gorena said a local service club is printing tickets for a raffle of the items in November.