HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Family and friends of Lourdes Guzman Saturday visited the site where the 13-year-old lost her life two days before Thanksgiving.
Members of the community touched by the teenager's smile and vibrant spirit lit candles and sang songs to honor her short life.
Lourdes and her younger sister were on their way to school in the school bus Tuesday morning when she was hit by a bullet. Police said 15-year-old Jordyn Alexander Howe snuck a gun on board. Howe's gun accidentally discharged, hitting Lourdes in the neck, authorities said. Lourdes died an hour later.
Ady DeJesus, Lourdes Guzman's mother, told Local 10 Wednesday her daughter was a smart and happy girl.
"Lourdes was the most wonderful thing God gave me," said DeJesus.
The mother said she forgives Howe for taking her daughter's life.
"I forgive him," said DeJesus. "I forgive him, but he has to pay for what he did."