Vigil held for teen shot, killed by brother in Florida City

'She was a lovely girl,' classmate says

FLORIDA CITY, Fla. – Friends and family gathered Thursday night for a candlelight vigil in Florida City to remember Tedra King, 13. She was known as Rosie to those close to her.

King was shot on Tuesday by her brother, who is being charged with aggravated manslaughter.

"My daughter was everything. That's my first child," said Tedrick King, the girl's father.

King's mother was inconsolable. Her friends remembered her as a happy girl who always had a smile on her face.

"She was a lovely girl - 13. It wasn't meant for Rosie," said Homestead Middle School classmate Deericka Anderson. 

Police said Martaevious Santiago, 17, pointed a loaded handgun at his sister on Tuesday night after celebrating his birthday. He shot her in the back of the head. King later died.

Santiago told police it was an accident.

In family court on Thursday afternoon,  the family's other siblings were ordered to stay with other family members.

"I know from the bottom of my heart that he loved his sister," King's father said. "As far as him being  charged with her death - I don't agree with it. He's been punished enough."

 


About the Author:

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.