On November 14, 2016, four-year-old Ava Castillo was shot and killed in the parking lot of her Greenspoint-area apartment complex in Houston while her family unloaded groceries. The robbers fired after attempting to grab her mother Diana Gomez’s purse; Diana was shot seven times and survived, and Ava’s ten-year-old sister Betzy was shot in the stomach and survived.

Three suspects were charged with capital murder in connection with the attack: Philip Battles, 18; Ferrell Dardar, 17; and Marco Alton Miller, 17. Reports say the suspects had been on a crime spree and targeted the family as they returned from the store. A community vigil was held for Ava, and witnesses in court, including two deputies who tried to save her, were visibly emotional.

Philip Battles was later sentenced to life without parole after a five-day trial; Ferrell Dardar pleaded guilty to murder and received 60 years. Marco Alton Miller’s trial was scheduled for a later date.

If anyone knew Ava or has information about that night, please share what might help the investigation or the family.