Lauren Landavazo and Makayla Smith were shot in an alley off Kingston Drive in Wichita Falls Friday afternoon walking home from school. Makayla is in stable condition, but Lauren was not as fortunate, passing away hours after the shooting.

“Friday, I took one of the worst phone calls I’ve ever taken in my life when my dad called and told me that our precious Lauren had been shot,” Darren Dodd, Lauren’s uncle said.

“As she slipped away from this earth, it was Jesus who took her hand and said get up,” a local pastor said. Sunday night, there was a candlelight vigil honoring the two and remembering Lauren.

Her father, Vern Landavazo, said her spirit will keep him going and lead him to move forward.

“I was saying a prayer earlier today and asking her to come and help support me,” Landavazo said. “And then I realized I don’t have to do that. She’s already here. She’s already what’s helping me stay strong.”

Everyone close to Lauren will cherish their memories of her. A neighbor described her as a social butterfly who loved to live. Her father said he had never met anyone more full of life, more happy, compassionate and caring than she was. Lauren’s father wants to thank the Wichita Falls Police Department for spending long hours away from their families to help his family get closure. He also wants to thank the community for their overwhelming support during this difficult time.

A life cut too short, Lauren was only 13 years old.

– Newschannel 6