Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Girl, 11, killed in wrong-house gang shooting remembered for being friendly, peaceful

NLV shooting, wrong house

Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Mourners on Nov. 3 gather in a candlelight vigil in the 6700 block of Courtney Michelle Street where Angelina, 11, was slain two days earlier in a gang-related shooting that police later found out targeted the wrong house.

It had been about 48 hours since Angelina was shot to death in her North Las Vegas home. Family and friends arrived by the masses to mourn, still in shock of what happened: Occupants of a sedan, in a reported act of gang violence, shot-up the home, inflicting the unthinkable evil act on an innocent child.

They had the wrong house. Angelina was just 11.

In a display of solidarity, a magnitude of candle-holding mourners filled the street of this peaceful neighborhood that on Thursday night was rattled by a heinous act.

Angelina’s family — which was caught up in a gang dispute it played no part in, police said — is leaning on its faith, and what it entails. Their loved one’s death was confronted with love, compassion and forgiveness.

Angelina was remembered as a “perfect child.” She was friendly, and harmless, and loved God and hot Cheetos. “She was “not meant for this world,” her mother said in a TV interview. “She came just to give us that little joy and show us what life was all about.”

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old suspect, who was hit in the head when a good Samaritan in the neighborhood opened fire on the fleeing Nissan Altima, has since died, according to news reports.

A 17-year-old believed to be the getaway driver was arrested when the car broke down about 3 miles from the scene of the shooting in the 6700 block of Courtney Michelle Street. Further arrests have not been announced.

Angelina’s mother, in a tearful interview with KLAS-TV Channel 8, on Saturday spoke about the shooters who mistakenly attacked her home.

It was 9:05 p.m. when the family returned home to work on a school science project. Initially, her three daughters worked on the project outside, crafting a sphere, cutting it up “to make it look nice,” their mother said as her eyes welled with tears in the television interview.

After some time, they went back inside and sat with their mother in the kitchen and continued their work. Less than 10 minutes later, a car parked in front of their house.

Then, tragedy struck. “Bullets just started flying through, through and through,” the woman said. “Nonstop. Nonstop.”

She said she helped her daughters to the floor, but “Angelina never made it down...and that was it, there was nothing more.”

“I ran outside, screaming and screaming and no one was out here, nobody,” she told KLAS.

Angelina didn’t speak again, her mother said. She died at University Medical Center.

“She looked so peaceful,” her mother said. “She was so peaceful...my home was peaceful, my home is peaceful. She’s given us this peace.”

After the car screeched out, a neighbor fearing for his life grabbed a gun and shot from his open garage, police said. Three suspects remained outstanding Friday.

Police said the suspects were in a gang dispute, but targeted the wrong house. Although Angelina’s sisters, ages 6 and 14, and her parents, were in the “line of fire” while shotgun and handgun rounds perforated their house, no one else was injured.

The alleged getaway driver has not been publicly identified and North Las Vegas Police could not be reached for comment regarding the purported death of the 19-year-old suspect.

By Friday afternoon, a sizable memorial of stuffed animals, flowers, candles, and balloons had popped up in front of the family’s garage. It’s since grown heftier. A campaign had raised roughly $40,000 by Saturday night.

On the same driveway, Angelina’s family members sobbed uncontrollably. Candles flickered illuminating tears on those in attendance as family took to a microphone for remarks recited in English and Spanish.

One man spoke about upcoming difficult times, and confusion. “This is simply an act of evil, and an act of terror in our community.”

Angelina’s life being cut short will mean she will not experience graduation, and she won’t have an opportunity to marry or have a family on her own, the speaker said. “All of this stripped away; for what?”

But they continually stressed faith peace and discouraged hate and retaliation, leaving what may come to a higher being.

The girl’s father, Alberto Sarabia Jr., broke down. Raising his fist in the air, and wiping away tears, he said, “God is good. I don’t blame you, God; I don’t blame you. Giving up my baby girl; she’s yours, God. If you want her, she’s yours, God. Take care of her.”

Later, he told the audience that as tragic as Angelina’s death was, “my life was in that kitchen” and he’s grateful the bullets dodged his wife and two other daughters. “Angelina, I love you, baby. I promise you, baby, your love will live; your love will live, baby.”

In the TV interview, the mother, said she will always have three daughters, and the family will pick up the pieces in the same house, Angelina’s home, she said. She thanked police working on the case, doctor’s who tried to save her daughter’s life, and the community for the show of love.

“I really don’t hate anybody right now,” the woman said to the KLAS reporter about the suspects. “I forgive them for what they did.”

Anyone with information is asked to call North Las Vegas Police at 702-633-9111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or crimestoppersofnv.com.