SAN ANTONIO – Iris Rodriguez, 7, was pronounced dead Thursday less than 24 hours after she was shot in the head during a disturbance on the city's West side.
Iris and her family were walking near a park around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 5500 block of San Fernando Street when a vehicle pulled up to them, began making threats and then opened fire.
"There's just cruel people out there. I don't understand, we just don't understand, why? The question is why? Why her?" said Iris' aunt, Iris Juarez.
Rodriguez and her mom were both shot and rushed to University Hospital. Eva Juarez was hit in the elbow but is expected to be OK.
"Eva's doing good, but she’s just taking it very hard right now. Trying to be by her daughter’s side. She's hurting. She’s a mother that’s in pain,"
The four suspects fled the scene in what police are describing as a white Chevy Impala or Lumina with tinted windows and a spare tire on the passenger side.
Iris has just turned 7. Juarez says she was always smiling and will never be forgotten.
"Iris was very loving, fun, playful little girl. She loved to be outside with her cousins. Joking around with her mom, just telling her mommy I love you," Juarez said.
Juarez says the family has been left heartbroken and will stick together during the difficult time.
They are also asking anyone with information to step forward and notify the police.
"Give us some peace of mind. Give her mom the peace of mind," said Juarez.