CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It's been almost a year since the death of 11-year-old Amethyst Silva, a young girl who was killed in front of her home on Jan. 1 by two men who were celebrating the New Year by shooting firearms.
After almost a year of grieving the loss of their daughter, Amethyst's parents said they now know a new type of pain, a pain that they say a child's family should never have to endure.
Deonis Poindexter and Jacob Leal were arrested for Amethyst's Jan. 1 death after authorities said they believe the men shot guns while celebrating the new year, accidentally hitting her.
Amethyst's death is a reminder of just how dangerous shooting firearms to celebrate the New Year can be.
"What goes up must come down and we don't know where that bullet will end up. It could harm someone; it can hurt someone seriously. It could kill someone, and it can also cause some property damage," said Senior Corpus Christi Police Department officer Antonio Contreras.
For parents Melinda Cruz and Robert Silva, losing a loved one to gun violence became their reality when their daughter was struck by a bullet.
"The day that my daughter got shot and killed, it changed me forever," said Silva. "When she died, I died with her and grief moved in and it's just something I have to deal with now for the rest of my life. She had her whole life to live for. She was only eleven."
Melinda said she's still trying to come to terms with her daughter's death.
"Words for people who lose their spouses, but there's no There's words for parents who lose their children," Cruz said.
Now left with only photos and memories of their daughter, Amethyst's parents urge others to celebrate safely this New Year's Eve.
"Please. Please. Please... on New Year's Eve, do not shoot in the city limits because no other family should have to go through this," Cruz said.
Wanting to spread awareness as much as possible, Cruz said that one decision can cause a domino effect for all involved.
"Think of what what if you lost your child. Think about that before you pick up your gun and you pull that trigger because, trust me, you don't want to be in this club," Cruz said.
Monday, Jan. 1, will mark a year since Amethyst lost her life. In celebration of her life, her family will host a candlelight vigil at the corner of Middlecoff Circle and Everhart Road.
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