COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police identified the 15-year-old girl who was found dead in west Columbus Monday evening.
Police said officers received a call about a female victim who was found outside in the 4700 block of Sullivant Avenue and did not appear to be breathing around 5:25 p.m.
Officers found the teen who was unresponsive and suffering from an injury. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified her as 15-year-old Maria Fernanda Guerra-Sandoval. A spokesperson from Columbus City Schools said she was a student within the district.
10TV spoke with Jene Patrick with Mother of Murdered Columbus Children. She said regardless of what we know, a young girl lost her life.
“So, I’m praying that when they do put more information out there, and you'll know exactly what happened to this baby because her family deserves that," Patrick said.
Kevin Lopez, 18, was arrested and charged with Guerra-Sandoval's murder, according to police. Franklin County Municipal Court documents say that Lopez caused her death by means of a semi-automatic handgun.
According to court records, Lopez claimed Guerra-Sandoval shot herself, but detectives believe through evidence contradictory to his statement that the wounds were not self inflicted.
During Lopez's arraignment, his defense attorney said he had turned 18 years old the week of the incident and he is a junior at Franklinton Prep High School.
10TV reached out to CCS for more information, but we have not heard back.