NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — A 17-year-old man has been charged with 1st-degree felony murder, accused of shooting and killing his 16-year-old sister, the New Braunfels Police Department said.
Police identified the suspect as Zachary Barrera. The victim was identified as Gabrielle Barrera. The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of Sumner Circle near Freiheit Road.
Authorities were called to the home on Sumner Circle for a report of a gunshot victim. When they arrived, they found Gabrielle Barrera had been shot and killed in the house. Police arrested Zachary at the scene and transported him to to the Comal County Jail.
Brian Mikesh was sitting on his porch when it happened.
"All I heard was a gunshot that went off," Mikesh said. "I just can't believe she's gone."
The 14-year-old said he became friends with the brother and sister when they moved to the neighborhood about a year ago.
"I really liked Gabby, she was a nice person," Mikesh said. "Zach was like a brother to me."
Steve Stanford is the executive director of communications for Comal ISD. He said Gabrielle and Zachary were students at Canyon High School. On Monday, 18 counselors from across the district were there to talk to students through their pain.
"For many, this might be the first experience with death," Stanford said. "I was 17 the first time I experienced a death in my family. So I remember that first time, it's a shock to the system."
Stanford said counselors will stay on campus for as long as they're needed.
David Ferguson with NBPD said they don't see this type of crime often, especially involving teenagers.
"We might go an entire year with no homicides, or one, maybe two," Ferguson said. "Here now in 2020, we've had two since the start of the year."
Ferguson said all angles of this case are being investigated. At this point, they aren't sure what happened between Gabrielle and Zachary.
Mikesh believes it had to be an accident.
"Zach loved her," Mikesh said. "He would always stick up for her in school and everything. If someone messed with her, they would mess with him."
As of Monday evening, Zachary is still in jail on a $250,000 bond.
RELATED: Man hit by train north of downtown