ANTIOCH — An online fundraiser seeking $30,000 to cover the funeral and other expenses for an 18-year-old woman killed at a birthday party shooting that also wounded six others went past the halfway mark to its goal Tuesday.
Nadia Tirado, of Antioch, was hit in the hail of gunfire that broke out about 1 a.m. Sunday in or near a residence on Sunset Lane near Mountaire Park. According to police, uninvited guests arrived at the party and something sparked a conflict and bullets flew.
Tirado died after being rushed to a hospital. The fundraiser reached $15,100 early Tuesday. It said Tirado was hit in the lower abdomen.
Her death is the fourth homicide investigated by Antioch police this year.
“Like many others, we are extremely heartbroken and devastated,” fundraiser organizers Melina Alvarez and Sandra Rangel wrote in the page’s entry. “With the help of friends and family, we would love to honor her and say our final goodbyes.”
Police have not made any arrests in the shooting or publicly identified any suspects. They said the shots created a scene of chaos, with gunshot victims and other party-goers fleeing on foot and in cars in all directions.
Some of the other shooting victims drove themselves to a hospital.
Two 20-year-old women and a 20-year-old man; two 19-year-old women; and an 18-year-old man all were hit by the gunfire. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening, police said.
It was not clear if the shooting took place inside the home where party was happening or outside the residence.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe on Monday used the shooting to reiterate his desire to fire at least some of the 44 officers involved in a racist-text scandal, all of whom are on administrative leave. That has left the department down about half its policing staff and has resulted in the dismissal of charges and a major payment from the county to help assess the size of the problem.
It was unclear whether the shooting tied up the resources of the department from other calls or whether the response had been lessened by staffing issues.
Messages left with Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford and the Antioch Police Officers Association were not returned early Tuesday.
The party was held for a 19-year-old man, according to police.
“Nadia was only 18 years old and full of (life),” the fundraiser entry read. “She was an amazing daughter, sister, friend, etc. She was known for lighting up a room and putting a smile on everyone’s face. Everyone loved her, and she loved everyone. She was the most forgiving person we knew. She will be missed by many and will never be forgotten.”
Please check back for updates.
Source: www.mercurynews.com