'Vibrant' Ill. Girl, 15, Was Eating Dinner at Home When She Was Struck and Killed by Stray Bullet
A 19-year-old man has now been charged with murder
GoFundMe
Valeria RodriguezA 15-year-old Illinois girl died after she was struck by a bullet inside her home. A 19-year-old man has now been charged with murder.
The victim, Valeria Rodriguez, is not believed to have been the target of the July 24 shooting, the Lake County Major Crime Task Force said in a press release.
The gun was fired outside the Round Lake, Ill., home and struck Valeria, authorities said. ABC 7 reported that she was eating dinner at the time she was shot.
Shorbonia Poole Jr. was arrested in connection with the shooting. Authorities alleged that the gun used in the shooting was found in Poole’s home.
Initially charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, Poole was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and felony murder on Aug. 5.
A spokesperson for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office said Poole has not yet entered a plea. It is not immediately clear if he has retained an attorney. He faces a detention hearing on Aug. 20.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
“Our office continues to express our deep condolences and sympathies to the family of Valeria Rodriguez over their unimaginable loss,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement.
According to her obituary, Valeria was a student at Round Lake High School. A GoFundMe started in her memory has raised more than $16,000.
“Her infectious smile and friendly demeanor made her a beloved figure among her peers and teachers alike,” the obituary reads. “Her passions were as colorful and vibrant as her personality. Valeria's love for music knew no bounds, with the melodies of Kali Uchis and Cuco often providing the soundtrack to her life. She found solace in the transformative power of makeup, a creative outlet that she playfully enjoyed even in her moments of rest.”
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
