As they spoke about the tragic loss of 13-year-old Anthony Lopez, his stepmother Anji Cardinal and mother Monica Medina held onto each other tightly. The moment they found out about his death in a shooting was undoubtedly one of the hardest things they had ever gone through.
Cardinal recounted, “We only found out that he had passed away because his friend, who had attempted to save him, contacted us and informed us about the incident. He did everything he could, including performing CPR, to save our son’s life.”
Medina recounted the heartbreaking moment when her son uttered his last words, questioning what was happening to him.
According to officials, an AR-15 was used by a 15-year-old boy to shoot Lopez inside an apartment located on Wanda Lane. The teenager confessed to throwing the firearm in the bayou, but authorities were able to locate it in a drainage pipe that was in the opposite direction.
According to a witness, the shooting was unintentional. However, as the police gathered additional evidence, they charged the 15-year-old with manslaughter.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the witness refused to provide a statement to the police. The investigation revealed that the 15-year-old was left alone at home by his guardians, who had to leave for work in another state.
Cardinal made a plea for the other teenagers who were present with her son to come forward and share the truth with the officers and detectives. “We urge you to speak up and help bring justice for our son,” she said.
According to Medina, her son was visiting her in Houston, but he actually resides in Washington state.
Medina expressed her disbelief and shock over the tragic incident, stating that she and her family were at the pool that same night. She described the situation as unreal and likened it to a terrible nightmare that she couldn’t believe was happening.
According to Anthony’s family, he had a great passion for sports and had big-league aspirations.
Cardinal fondly remembers her son as a kind, sweet, and caring person who was respected by all of his coaches and family. He had a strong determination to reach the NFL, and was known to be funny and full of love. His heart was the biggest anyone could ask for.
As the perpetrator is being charged as a minor, authorities have refrained from disclosing the shooter’s identity to the public.