The godmother of a Texas teenager who was shot and killed has since spoken out about the young girl's death, sharing her last moments while advocating for gun control measures that may mitigate future acts of violence.
14-year-old Anaya "Naya" Zachary was shot four times by a 13-year-old boy from her school last Friday. The incident occurred on a playground outside of a Baytown, Texas apartment complex.
The two children were students in the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) and had gotten into an argument on the bus.
"Her and the little boy got into it on the bus, and he got off the bus, he went home, he came back, he went home again. Anaya came in and asked me, 'Tia, can I go outside?' " Anaya's godmother, Sonya Stanford, told KPRC 2.
"He went home, put on all black, put on a black mask, and came back and called my baby's name and he shot my baby four times," said Stanford.
"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," her cousin Janet Zachery told ABC 13.
Law enforcement responded to the scene and attempted to administer life-saving care to Anaya, but the teen was later pronounced dead after being transferred to a nearby hospital.
Her death was ruled a homicide by the Harris County Medical Examiner.
"I'm very disappointed in his parents because your parenting skills are not right at all, but as for the little boy, I forgive him," Stanford said. "You should have put your weapon up so your 13-year-old son wouldn't have gotten this gun and shot my child. I am very hurt, I am very disappointed," she added.
"This tragic incident has deeply affected our community," Police Chief John Stringer said in the news release. "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."
The 13-year-old boy accused of killing her has been charged with murder and taken into custody.
