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Perk Coffee House pays tribute to woman killed in Singer Island shooting

Tequesta coffee house encourages community to 'buy a coffee for Maria' Tritico
Maria Tritica
Posted at 12:53 PM, Dec 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-10 18:51:58-05

TEQUESTA, Fla. — A coffee shop in Tequesta is honoring a beloved patron who was shot and killed on Singer Island.

Perk Coffee House in Tequesta is paying tribute to Maria Tritico by making a contribution to the Lighthouse ArtCenter in her honor.

The coffee shop is encouraging the community to "buy a coffee for Maria."

"Maria and Chad were regular patrons of Perk Coffee House in Tequesta, always entering with wide smiles and friendly salutations, and ordering 'ice coffee, light ice -- hold the lid,'" a statement on the Perk Coffee House Facebook page said.

Join Us for "Coffee for Maria" On December 6, 2020, beloved Tequesta FL resident and Lighthouse Art Center employee,...

Posted by perk tequesta on Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Customers who purchase Tritico's favorite coffee order will also help support Lighthouse ArtCenter.

Proceeds will help continue Tritico's mission of connecting underserved children, veterans and senior citizens with the therapeutic benefits of art.

According to the Riviera Beach Police Department, the 32-year-old was struck by a bullet Sunday near Ocean Walk on Singer Island. She was taken to a nearby hospital but didn't survive.

Police use metal detector to search sand after shooting on Singer Island
Police use a metal detector to search the sand after a woman was shot outside Ocean Walk on Singer Island, Dec. 7, 2020, in Riviera Beach, Fla.

Tritico lived in Tequesta with her fiancé and was deeply connected to the Palm Beach County community.

She was the director of education at Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art and had plans to get married on New Year's Eve in her hometown of Houston.

In November, the couple purchased a new home and celebrated her birthday.

A memorial service was held earlier this week at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Tequesta.

Riviera Beach's police chief said dozens of people have been interviewed, but a suspect has not been named.

The investigation is ongoing.