A teenage girl had died after being shot four times at a Texas apartment complex playground by a schoolmate.
On March 21 at an apartment complex in Baytown, Anaya Zachary, 14, was fatally shot, according to a press release from Baytown police on Tuesday. Zachary was shot four times by a 13-year-old boy; both attended the same Goose Creek CISD school.
The incident occurred at the playground at the teens’ apartment complex located in the 4600 block of Village Lane, just after 4 p.m., according to KTRK-TV.
Janet Zachery, Anaya Zachary’s cousin, told KTRK-TV that “she tried to turn around and run, and he shot her twice in the back, and then when she fell, he shot her two more times.”
A woman holding her baby near the incident also sustained minor injuries from one of the fired rounds, the press release stated. The woman and her baby were evaluated at the local hospital and released.
During the investigation, police were informed that the two teens had a verbal altercation on the school bus earlier that day.
Zachery’s godmother told KHOJ-TVthat she had heard the teen boy had threatened Zachery, saying, “I was told that he told Naya: ‘When I get off the bus, I’m going to kill you today,’” according to USA Today.
Zachery’s family wants answers on how the child got the gun and feels the child’s family should face repercussions concerning the firearm.
The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He has been taken to the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center.
“This tragic incident has deeply affected our community,” said Chief John Stringer.
“Our officers responded quickly, providing aid and securing the scene. As we continue to investigate, our thoughts are with the victim’s family and all those impacted by this senseless act of violence. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and the severe consequences that violence can have.”
[Feature Photo: Anaya Zachary/Facebook]
