Four teenagers in the USA have been charged for a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a five-year-old girl while she was sleeping in a trailer home.
Cops reported that 15-year-old Alexander Barraza Venzor and 16-year-old Yahir Carballo were arrested on charges of murder, conspiracy and other shooting-related offences.
Additionally, two brothers identified as 17-year-old Jose Luis Ramirez and 15-year-old Alan Ramirez are being sought on the same charges after the group shot five-year-old Galilea Samaniego on Sunday, 13th August.
The girl was reportedly sleeping with her two sisters in the trailer home at the Vista Del Sol mobile home park, in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico State, USA, at the time.
Reports claimed that the teens were inside two Kia Souls which they had stolen the night before the shootings when they began firing at around 6am.
One of the bullets reportedly hit the girl in the head and she was later pronounced dead at the hospital, claimed cops.
Investigators were reportedly able to connect the shell casings to several incidents involving the same suspects.
Police believe the girl was not targeted and that the shots were fired after an alleged dispute escalated between one of the suspects and a teenager who lived at the trailer with Galilea.
Deputy Chief Cecily Barker said at a press conference on Monday, 21st August: “We determined early on that a teenager who lived at that residence was the target of the shooting.”
Barker added there were different families staying at the trailer home with the five-year-old girl at the time of the incident.
He said: “If you see something, say something.
“We all bear responsibility in this community. If you have kids in your neighbourhood who you know might be struggling, please reach out to them.
“Let’s work together as a community to come together and fight violent crime, especially when it involves our youth. I think we owe it to each other.”
Meanwhile Galilea’s family started a GoFundMe campaign to seek help covering the funeral costs.
Her mum Jessica Moya said in the fundraiser: “We never expected this to happen, we are all heartbroken, [and] never thought my little baby would die this way. She was only five years old.
“Anything would help for transfer and burial services. Thank you, I appreciate any help and God bless you all.”
Little Galilea is survived by her parents, three siblings, and grandparents, according to her obituary.
