Brother, 18, Turns Himself In After Fatal Shooting of 13-Year-Old Girl in Lancaster

Authorities arrested 18-year-old Eddie Alvirez, who is suspected of fatally shooting his younger sister in Lancaster on Tuesday. Alvirez turned himself in to authorities around 2 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies were initially sent to a home in the 1700 block of West Avenue J-15 at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a call that a girl had been shot with a BB gun, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department news release stated. The 13-year-old victim was taken to the Antelope Valley Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, a deputy told KTLA. “She was very loving, happy, smart. Just very outgoing, loved life and, well, she was just taken too fast” Vanessa Zamora said of her niece. Deputies arriving at the home discovered that Eddie Alvirez had been in possession of a handgun and was in a bedroom which he shares with his two sisters, according to the news release. Eddie Alvirez then allegedly pointed the gun at one of his sisters and a shot was fired.

It was unclear if the shot was fired intentionally or on accident. Eddie Alvirez fled the scene following the shooting. He turned himself in at the Lancaster sheriff’s station Wednesday around 2 p.m., deputies said. He was initially considered to be a person of interest in the shooting, but authorities are now calling him a suspect. Zamora told KTLA she believes it was an accident, and that Alvirez fled because he was panicked. She urged her nephew to turn himself in. “Come home honey, do the right thing. Do the best thing you can do and face the consequences,” she said. “He messed up and now he has to take it as an adult.” Officials warned that the gun used in the shooting was not located at the residence. Anyone with further information was asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.