Featured image via Shutterstock and does not show Jania Tatum-Scott. For representational purposes only.
Police are on the desperate hunt for whoever is responsible for killing 15-year-old Jania Tatum-Scott at a Baytown, Texas park right across from her home.
The teen’s body was found shot to death in an open field at Tejas Park on Tuesday morning. Her mother, Angie Tatum, told local outlet KPRC-2 that the park was one of Jania’s favorite places to hang out.
Family and friends gathered to mourn Jania at the park on Wednesday afternoon. “Everybody loved her,” Angie Tatum told Fox 26. “She was a really outgoing person, she was my best friend. I’m alone now. It was just me and her, my baby.”
No arrests have been made in connection to the shooting, however Baytown Police Chief John Stringer released a statement declaring that Jania’s death is actively being investigated.
“[We] will work to ensure that the offender is brought to justice,” the statement read, in part. “We will partner with our citizens and area law enforcement to ensure this crime is resolved, and we advocate for the victim.”
Jania’s mother Angie has published a GoFundMe page to help her family with expenses.
“She had many friends and she was loved by everyone including her teachers, coaches and the admin staff,” Angie wrote. “This has devastated my family and the city of Baytown.”
As of Thursday evening, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $10,200, surpassing its goal of $10,000.
