15-year-old boy found dead in Garland, 18-year-old charged with murder
GARLAND, Texas - Police said they have arrested the person they believe shot and killed a 15-year-old boy Wednesday night in Garland.
A 911 caller spotted the victim, Russell Deangelo Jefferson, around 6 p.m. in a neighborhood near Interstate 635 and Garland Road.
"He was shot in the cheek, neck, and in his chest," the neighbor said.
The neighbor said she rushed outside to perform CPR on Russell, who was lying in the middle of the street.
"As I got even closer, there was a gun and I kicked it away. I checked his pulse. I was asking whoever was coming around for a shirt or something to put on his wounds," she recalled.
Jefferson, a student at South Garland High School, died at the hospital.
Garland police said they already had leads after the murder, and it didn't take long before the suspect was identified.
On Thursday, they reached out to the suspect, 18-year-old Cesar Rocha, asking him to come in for an interview and he agreed.
Now, Rocha is in custody and charged with murder, according to Garland police. He's being held at the Garland City Jail without bond.
"He's cooperating with us. He came in and spoke to investigators of his own free will and he was subsequently arrested and charged with murder," said Garland PD Lt. Richard Maldonado.
Cesar Rocha (Source: Garland City Jail)
Investigators are still looking into what led to the shooting.
They believe Jefferson and Rocha were talking on social media before meeting.
"These two individuals, they met on a social media platform. We do not know the extent of their relationship, or why Cesar came to Garland. That is part of the ongoing investigation," Maldonado said.
It is also unclear if Rocha was alone or with someone.
Jefferson lives near the scene of the shooting.
"I am sick to my stomach. I hurt everywhere. I am numb," the victim’s mother, Erica Williams, said.
Williams’ 15-year-old son was shot and killed just a few houses down from where the Garland family lives.
The grieving mother was at work Wednesday evening.
She said she spoke to her son over the phone 20 minutes before he was murdered.
"I feel like I was robbed. That’s how I feel. I was robbed because I don’t even have…15 years isn’t long enough. I wanted him burying me," Williams said.
Williams said she doesn't recognize Rocha.
"You left him there and you went home, and you went to sleep. I have not slept yet. That’s my baby," she said.
She’s still in a state of shock her son is gone.
"Hold onto your kids. Hold onto your kids. Love on them. Hug them," she added.