A fatal shooting shook an Albuquerque neighborhood just ahead of Christmas as the family of Jada Gonzales mourned her death at a house party on the city’s West Side.
"It's just a tragic loss,” Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina told KOAT on Dec. 21. “The deadly mixture of alcohol, firearms and innocent lives being lost is unacceptable.”
The incident happened early Dec, 18 at a party on La Bajada Road.
Gonzales, 18, will be remembered as a young woman who had everything going for her. She was a senior at Albuquerque Academy and had been awarded the Davis New Mexico Scholarship, which provides funding for four years to several small colleges. She had a love of photography, was committed to serving the Zuni Pueblo and had a deep appreciation for life, people in the community said.
Parents with children at Albuquerque Academy received a letter about her death, and according to Julianne Puente, head of school, Gonzales was a gentle and kind soul who was incredibly loyal to her peers.
"A life cut too short of an individual who had so much going for [her] in life, who didn't deserve this,” Medina said.
Mayor Tim Keller spoke of her being a "passionate city employee" with a "deep compassion" for children. She often spent her time at the Holiday Park Community Center, with managers saying she worked in a therapeutic recreation program.
Medina said he won't stop until justice is served — for all families affected by gun violence.
“The investigation will continue in individuals who hopefully will be brought to justice,” he said. “That’s what our goal is."
Albuquerque police said the shooters are still on the loose, and they are looking for tips as they work to track them down. Videos of the incident can be submitted online.