Police say three women stabbed a Del Rio mom of five to death on Thursday. The attack happened near a Sonic on one of the city's busiest roads.

The victim was Caroline "Caro" Pena, 32. She was stabbed many times that afternoon.

Pena reached Val Verde Medical Center just after 2 p.m. Her wounds were too bad. She was flown to San Antonio. She died around 9 p.m.

Police got the call at the hospital. They found where the attack happened. Officers checked cameras and talked to witnesses.

By 4 p.m. Thursday, police had sisters Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and Amaya "Cookie" Diaz, 19, in cuffs. They came in without a fight. A third suspect, Kyandra Faz, 21, was caught soon after.

All three were booked and moved to a jail in Val Verde County. As of Friday, none had seen a judge. Police have not said why the women attacked Pena.

Del Rio Police posted about the arrests on social media Friday.

People who knew Pena say it all played out in plain sight.

Childhood friend Zelina Ochoa told KENS5: "This wasn't something that happened in a back alley. This happened at the corner near Sonic on one of our busiest roads in broad daylight."

Best friend Christina Salinas had cooked with Pena the night before. They cooked with Pena's daughter.

The next day, Pena called Salinas at 1:35 p.m. That was just minutes before the attack. Salinas missed the call.

"I feel like if I would have answered that call, honestly I would have been there with her," Salinas said. "It wouldn't have gotten like that."

Later, Salinas saw a photo on a community page. A woman in a bloody shirt. She knew it was Caro right away.

"Her hair was in the same bun," Salinas said. "When I saw that, that's all I needed to see was the back of her shirt. I knew it was her right off the bat."

Salinas rushed to the hospital. Pena was still talking. Salinas kissed her and said goodbye. Then Pena was flown to San Antonio.

"That girl, she was a fighter," Salinas said. "She was still standing her ground."

Pena left behind five children.

Del Rio is a border city of about 35,000 people.

The three suspects are still in jail. No court date has been set. Police are still working the case.