16-year-old Diamond Alvarez was walking the family dog when she was horrifically shot in the back 22 times.
Diamond’s family heard the gunshots before their dog returned home from a walk to the park without the teen. Her mother, Anna Machado, then called Diamond’s phone but there was no answer.
At around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Diamond’s family members went to go look for her.
“My son found her,” Machado told Houston TV station KHOU. “I tried so hard to keep her alive. I couldn’t … I couldn’t.”
Police who responded to the location near a park in southwest Houston said the teen was killed at the scene.
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“Whoever shot this girl 22 times in the back … they are cowards,” the girl’s stepfather, Tito Moczygemba, informed the outlet.
“Diamond Alvarez was 16 and tragically died due to being brutally murdered,” wrote the fundraiser’s organizer, Brittany Moczygemba, on GoFundMe.
“We ask for help to raise funds to lay her to rest peacefully in the most beautiful way possible. Diamond was a very fun, outgoing, outspoken, down-to-earth girl. She loved to dance, doing make-up was her thing. She planned on going to cosmetology school. Her favorite color was purple. She was an honor student who participated in volleyball, basketball and had many friends who adored her. She loved spending time with her family and always managed to live life to the fullest.”
Her stepfather said the Madison High School sophomore was earning straight A’s.
Family members allege her phone was taken and they believe the shooting was not random.
Police were not able to identify any suspects or any motive. A police spokesman informed reporters who were at the scene that people in the neighborhood reported hearing “numerous gunshots.”
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They also said the only initial lead may be a dark vehicle seen fleeing north from the area.
The authorities consider the shooting to be a homicide.
A statement from Houston Independent School District, without identifying the victim, said: “HISD grieves the loss of a Madison High School student who died Tuesday while off-campus. We offer our deepest sympathy to the student’s family, friends and the entire school community.”Â
Police asked anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 713-521-4600 or the police homicide division at 713-308-3600.
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