A 14-year-old girl was shot dead in a Texas playground — allegedly by a younger classmate who went home, dressed in black and grabbed a gun and a mask after they argued on the school bus, according to police and the victim’s loved ones.
Anaya Zachary was shot four times Friday on a playground outside an apartment complex in Baytown, about 25 miles east of downtown Houston — with a mom holding her baby also injured, according to police.
A 13-year-old boy — who has not been identified because of his age — was taken into custody and charged with murder, according to KPRC 2.
The boy targeted Zachary after they “got into it on the bus” taking them home from Baytown Junior Middle School earlier that day, Anaya’s godmother Sonya Stanford told the outlet.
“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,” she said.
The godmother’s own daughter told her that Zachary never bullied the boy “but they never did get along.”
“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.
Stanford said she’s “not angry” with the boy and even wants to “forgive” him — saying she 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.”
The boy was charged with murder and remains in custody, police said. The mom injured while holding her baby was taken to a hospital for treatment, but escaped serious injury, cops said.
“This tragic incident has deeply affected our community,” Baytown Police Chief John Stringer said of a “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.”
