A 14-year-old girl was shot and killed at a Texas playground—allegedly by a 13-year-old classmate who retrieved a gun and donned a mask after an argument on the school bus, according to police and the victim’s loved ones.
Anaya Zachary was shot four times Friday at a playground outside an apartment complex in Baytown, located about 25 miles east of downtown Houston.
A mother holding her baby was also injured in the gunfire, but she is expected to recover, authorities said.
The suspected shooter, a 13-year-old boy whose identity has not been released due to his age, was taken into custody and charged with murder, according to KPRC 2.
Anaya’s godmother, Sonya Stanford, told the outlet that the two classmates had “got into it on the bus” coming home from Baytown Junior Middle School earlier that day.
“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,” Stanford said.
Although the godmother’s daughter confirmed that Anaya and the suspect never got along, she insisted that Anaya had never bullied him.
“She was a sweet kid, an honor roll student. Never had no problems. ‘Yes ma’am, no ma’am. Thank you, no thank you.’ This was a sweet baby,” Stanford said.
While devastated by the loss, Stanford said she does not harbor anger toward the 13-year-old suspect but instead blames his parents.
“I say you (his parents) should have put your weapon up so your 13-year-old son wouldn’t have gotten this gun and shot this child,” she said. “I am very hurt. I am very disappointed.”
Baytown Police Chief John Stringer called the shooting a “senseless act of violence” that has deeply affected the community.
“This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and the severe consequences that violence can have,” Stringer said.
The suspect remains in custody. Authorities have not yet disclosed how he obtained the firearm.
