CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —
Amethyst Silva was 11 years old when she was by a bullet that hit her just after midnight on New Year's Day in 2023.
It was celebratory gunfire that took her life. As the Fourth of July comes around, her family want's people to remember just how dangerous discharging a firearm in the city can be.
"There's one thing that me and her always loved - it was arguing with each other," Amethyst's older brother Jude said. "When my dad and my mom would tell us to stop arguing, we'd argue for a little bit more and then we'd stop and be friends again.
It's been a year and a half since Jude lost his little sister. He has since found a special way to remember her.
On his right arm sits a new tattoo with her name, a butterfly and four number elevens – each with their own significance.
“My sister was 11 years old, she was born in 2011, she liked Stranger Things, so her favorite character was eleven, and the date that she did pass was (Jan. 1)."
This year, instead of preparing to celebrate the Fourth of July, her parents spent the weekend passing out these flyers – pleading people to put their guns away this holiday.
“It's just unfortunate that my daughter has to be on a flyer and not here with us to enjoy the Fourth of July,” Robert Silva said. “It's just, it's sad that we have to do this, but unfortunately, this is where we are right now. It's been a year and six months since Amethyst has been gone, but for me it's every night. It happened last night and the night before."
Silva and his family now only have pictures and memories of Amethyst to look back on. A picture of Silva and Amethyst hugging and at Candy Cane Lane just days before she died is the one that he holds closest to him.
“I'm so glad that I took that picture because that picture shows a lot of, you know, how we embraced each other. I just... I miss my kid. I have to live with memories that pop up, and it just cripples me."
Amethyst's father has only one message for others before heading into the holiday.
“Think twice. If you're going to shoot your gun and you're with your family outside, be careful because the gun you shoot may bring a bullet this way and take one of your family members."
The two men who were arrested on deadly conduct charges back in 2023 were, 29-year-old Deonis Poindexter and 43-year-old Jacob Leal.
Their jury trials will be coming up later this Fall. Amethyst's father says his hope is that those who are held responsible will be held accountable. 3NEWS will keep you updated as the story develops.