Texas Boy, 13, Charged with Murder, After Allegedly Shooting Classmate, 14, on a Playground

• Anaya “Naya” Zachary, 14, and a 13-year-old boy from her school got into a verbal argument on a school bus on Friday, March 21, in Baytown, Texas
• Once the boy returned home, he went to Anaya’s apartment complex and allegedly shot her four times
• Baytown Police Department confirmed on Tuesday, March 25, that the boy has been charged with murder

The teenage boy who allegedly fatally shot his classmate on Friday, March 21, has been charged with murder, per a Tuesday, March 25, Baytown Police Department news release.

Anaya “Naya” Zachary, 14, was shot four times by a 13-year-old boy from her school at a playground outside an apartment complex in Baytown, Texas, at around 4 p.m. EST local time on March 21, local news outlets ABC 13 and Fox 26 reported. Baytown is 26 miles east of Houston.

The 13-year-old suspect was charged with murder and placed into custody at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center, per the Tuesday news release. His identity has not been publicly revealed due to his age. 

The two Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) students were involved in a verbal argument on a school bus. “Her and the little boy got into it on the bus, and he got off the bus, he went home, he came back, he went home again. Anaya came in and asked me, ‘Tia, can I go outside?’ ” Anaya’s godmother, Sonya Stanford, told KPRC 2.

“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,” Anaya’s godmother told KPRC 2.

“She tried to turn around and run and he shot her twice in the back and then when she fell, he shot her two more times,” her cousin Janet Zachery said, per ABC 13.

Authorities responded to a call reporting a shooting, and upon arrival, they found Anaya near the playground suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately administered life-saving measures until medics arrived. 

Anaya was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. 

The Harris County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide, and noted she had two gunshot wounds in her torso and one in her right arm, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Additionally, a nearby female bystander, who was with her baby, also sustained an injury from the shooting. The two were transported to the hospital and were cleared of any injuries, police said.

“This tragic incident has deeply affected our community,” Police Chief John Stringer said in the news release. “Our officers responded quickly, providing aid and securing the scene. As we continue to investigate, our thoughts are with the victim’s family and all those impacted by this 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.” 

This case is still under investigation.

Anaya’s cousin Janet said that the 14-year-old moved to Baytown from Opelousas, La., for a better life. “As hurtful as it is for us, her mother, who lives in Louisiana, we had to send her child back in a body bag,” Janet said, per ABC 13.

Janet also said she believes the boy’s parents should face consequences. “That little boy didn’t go purchase that gun,” she said, per ABC 13. “That little boy didn’t go next door and get the gun. He didn’t get the gun off the bus. For him to go home and get it, he knew it was there.”

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Stanford shared a similar sentiment. “I’m very disappointed in his parents because your parenting skills are not right at all, but as for the little boy, I forgive him,” Stanford said, per KHOU11. “You should have put your weapon up so your 13-year-old son wouldn’t have gotten this gun and shot my child. I am very hurt, I am very disappointed,” she added.

It has not been determined if the parents will be charged.

“If I knew there was an altercation, me being who I am again, I would’ve went to the little boy’s parents with Anaya to see if we can get this resolved because stuff like this occurs all the time, but this does not make any sense at all,” Stanford said.

For more information on safe firearm storage and the most effective ways to protect children from unsecured firearms, visit BeSMARTforkids.org.