KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
A 16-year-old girl was killed allegedly over a fight that started on Facebook and snowballed into the deadly shooting.
Tuesday, KCTV5 spoke with her family, who said they are relieved a suspect has finally been charged in the case.
"My heart is torn apart. They took a piece of my heart away from me. My life will never be the same. That was my baby," said Audrey Smith, the victim's mother.
Smith and her family are still trying to cope with the death of her teen daughter, Sholanda Jackson.
Tuesday, DeQuan Hawkins, 20, of Kansas City, MO, was taken to court and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
"I'm happy someone is in jail for what they did to my sister. But it won't bring her back or take away the pain, so that's the part of relief that I don't have," said Chira Smith, Jackson's sister.
The family said Jackson was dating one of Hawkins' friends, and the couple was having problems. They said they don't understand why Hawkins got involved.
Court records said Hawkins, who went by the name "Quan-Quan," had been making threats against the teen on Facebook. Jackson's family said his hateful words turned to scary messages, which then became the bullets that struck the teen down as she was walking to the Short Stop Minimart convenience store at East 51st Street and Cleveland Avenue last Wednesday afternoon where she collapsed and died.
"It was an argument that started on Facebook and led up to my sister being killed. It's not that serious. It was basically petty and shouldn't have happened," said Chira Smith.
Witnesses also identified Hawkins as the person who came into the store and was talking to Jackson just before she was shot.
"What if this happened to his family? He'd feel the same pain I feel. I don't think anyone should feel like me and my family feel," said Audrey Smith.
Even though Jackson's family is glad Hawkins has been captured, they said they are dissatisfied with the charges that have been filed.
"Second-degree is not enough. He knew what he was going to do. It wasn't an accident. He did that intentionally. That's not enough. He needs to be charged with first-degree murder," said Chira Smith.
Hawkins is now being held in Jackson County Jail on bond.
Family said Jackson, who was a freshman at Central High School, didn't have a big circle of friends because she was happiest when she was surrounded by the family she loved so much.
A fund has been set up to help Jackson's family with her funeral expenses. Donations can be sent to:
Sholanda Jackson Memorial Fund Heartland Community Credit Union PO Box 8566 Kansas City, MO 64114
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