A 13-year-old schoolboy has been charged with murder after a girl in his class was shot dead on a playground. Anaya Zachary – known as Naya – was shot four times in Baytown, Texas, at around 4pm local time on Friday, March 21.
The 14-year-old girl’s godmother, Sonya Stanford, told KPRC 2 in the US that the two Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District students were involved in a verbal argument on a school bus. Ms Stanford said: “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?’ 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.”
Her cousin Janet Zachery told ABC 13: “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.” She said the Anaya had moved to Baytown from Opelousas, in Louisiana for a better life.
She added: “As hurtful as it is for us, her mother, who lives in Louisiana, we had to send her child back in a body bag.
“That little boy didn’t go purchase that gun,” she said. “That little boy didn’t go next door and get the gun. He didn’t get the gun off the bus. For him to go home and get it, he knew it was there.”
Emergency responders raced to the scene and found Anaya near the playground suffering from a gunshot wounds. Officers immediately administered life-saving measures until medics arrived. Anaya was transported to hospital, but she was later pronounced dead.
Baytown Police Department said a female bystander, who was with her baby, also sustained an injury from the shooting and the mum and baby were also taken to the hospital and were later released without injury.
Police chief John Stringer said: “This tragic incident has deeply affected our community. 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.”
Anaya’s godmother Ms Stanford added: “If I knew there was an altercation, me being who I am again, I would’ve went to the little boy’s parents with Anaya to see if we can get this resolved because stuff like this occurs all the time, but this does not make any sense at all.
“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.
“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.”
Police confirmed the boy, who has not been named, has been charged with murder. It has not been determined if his parents will be charged.
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