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Family demands answers after young cousins killed in double shooting in Forest Park

It's difficult for the family to find closure with her loved one's killer still on the loose.

FOREST PARK, Ga. — The family of two cousins who were tragically shot and killed in Forest Park are demanding answers a week after their loved ones were taken from them.

We're hearing from Edwin Dominguez, 23, and Jonathan Zuniga's, 21, family for the first time. Sunday marks one week since the two cousins were shot and killed in Forest Park.

Forest Park Police said they are still on the hunt for a suspect or suspects in this double murder.

Yesenia Turpin is Edwin and Jonathan's older cousin. It's difficult for the family to find closure with her loved one's killer still on the loose.

"I would like to be the bigger person and say that, 'We forgive them. We want justice,' but I can't be the bigger person," Turpin said. "I can't say that yet."

Credit: PROVIDED

Still, they have to make arrangements when authorities haven't yet released the bodies.

"We're planning the funeral because we know we have to," Turpin said.

RELATED: Cousins identified as victims in double homicide rattling Forest Park neighborhood

The family said they haven't had many updates from the police.

"All we can do is wait for answers, but, at the same time, we're getting impatient," Turpin said.

Turpin said that almost two weeks ago, Dominguez and Zuniga's family was celebrating El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)—blessed to say they'd lost no loved ones this year. That was until their worst nightmare came to life days later.

"I just wish I had been more protective of them," Turpin said.

Forest Park Police said Dominguez and Zuniga were shot and killed inside a car near the intersection of Watts and Bartlett Road. The car was thrown in reverse, crashed into a parked car, and rolled down Robbie Cotton's yard, hitting her mailbox. The commotion spooked her outside to a gruesome scene.

"I looked in the car," Cotton said. "And I saw two young men that weren't moving."

Credit: Provided

Cotton also said she saw blood, a cell phone, and a gun and called 911. Cotton lives with her mother, who has mental health issues, and her two kids. She said she was grateful her son wasn't outside playing.

"I have to live with, for the rest of my life, that scene that I saw," Cotton said. "I wish I didn't see it."

RELATED: 2 found shot to death after police respond to car accident in Forest Park

Police believe whoever did this was inside of the car. However, there still have been no arrests.

"My mom has stayed here for more than 15 years," Cotton said. "We've never had any incident like this." 

Cotton said she had to explain this to her kids, who were home at the time.

"It could have happened anywhere," Cotton said. "And it just happened in front of our door, on our block, which is scary."

Police Chief Brandon Criss told 11Alive's Cody Alcorn that he speculates that this could have been a drug deal gone wrong. 

The family doesn't believe that. Turpin wants everyone to know who her cousins really are. Edwin worked for FedEx and Jonathan for Quiet Logistics. 

"Edwin was extremely goofy," Turpin said. "He was always the life of the party. Every time he entered into a room, we knew he was here."

"Jonathan was a little more shy, but he was always smiling, happy—always communicating, just having a good time, with his his siblings most of all," Turpin added. "He was definitely someone that his siblings looked up to as well."

Both have three siblings and a family that loves and misses them. And just like for the Day of the Dead, they light new candles to keep their spirits alive while praying for justice.

"We just want them to be caught," Turpin said. "If they did this once, it's only a matter of time before they do it to another family. And we don't wish this pain upon anybody."

The family started an online fundraiser. If you'd like to help, click here.

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