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Family of slain Converse teen close to justice after suspect arrested

The family of Zachary Segura is still dealing with the Converse teen's murder as police have arrested a suspect and charged him with murder.

A teenage scuffle led to a murder at MacArthur Park and now the victim’s family is speaking out about the charges, the boy who lost his life, and their remarkable path to forgiveness.

“How we’re going to miss him, his smile, every time I look at his picture, it’s hard for me to believe that he’s gone,” said Maryann Perez, the aunt of Zachary Segura, who died in the shooting. “He was a good kid. He’s going to be missed by so many.”

It’s been an emotional month for Perez and the rest of Segura’s family.

“He didn’t have a chance to live his life,” she said. “He was barely starting.”

Zachary was just 17 years old and had dreams of being a Marine. His aunt said that he had a kind heart, one that will now live on without him.

“At the age of 16, he decided he wanted to be an organ donor. They gave his heart to a 16-year-old,” she said. “For a kid to be that young and make that choice, it’s amazing. We’re proud that that was something he chose to do.”

On February 25, Zachary was shot at the MacArthur Park subdivision. Converse police say that it all stemmed from an altercation over a backpack.

They found Zachary in the backseat of a car. And for a whole month, his family had no answers and no suspect… until this week.

On Wednesday, police arrested 17-year-old Isaiah Westman and charged him with capital murder in Zachary’s death.

It’s a tough reality to face but it’s one that Maryann says her faith will get her through.

“I prayed for him,” she said. “We not only lost our nephew but I’m sure that family lost their son. No one can judge that kid, only God can. Unfortunately, he’s going to pay the ultimate price and it’s sad because he’s so young.”

Investigators say that Isaiah Westman has been uncooperative so far, showing no remorse. Police still have not said what was in the backpack on the day of the hooting.

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