Homicide detectives are investigating after a 13-year-old girl was shot and killed in North Lauderdale Monday night.
Broward Sheriff's Office officials said they received a call about the shooting in the 7400 block of Southwest 12th Court around 10:20 p.m.
When deputies arrived, they found the girl suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately started life-saving measures, officials said.
Fire rescue responded and airlifted the girl to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was later identified as 13-year-old Samyiah James.
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"Saw my daughter laying on the ground like she was asleep, blood all over her on one side of her chest," said Lolita Catis, James' mother. "Her mouth was halfway open like she was trying to catch her breath."
Catis spoke to NBC6 Tuesday, which was supposed to be her daughter's first day of school as a seventh grader.
"She didn’t deserve this," Catis said. "They just took my baby’s life, took her life for nothing."
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Broward County Public Schools officials said James was one of their students.
"Broward County Public Schools is mourning the tragic death of one of our students. We stand ready to assist the entire school community and have ensured that grief counselors are available for any student or staff member needing assistance," the district said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the student's family during this difficult time."
Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
