GALVESTON, Texas -- A hearing was held on Monday for a 16-year-old girl who was charged with shooting and killing her 12-year-old sister, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Galveston police said the shooting happened at a home on Avenue N ½ near 35th Street at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

Investigators said Juanita Martin died from a single gunshot wound to her torso.

At the closed-door hearing, the judge ordered the 16-year-old to remain held at the Juvenile Justice Center in Texas City. She was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

No adults were inside the home at the time of the shooting, police said. A third sister in the home ran to a neighbor's house for help.

The girls' mother said she kept the gun for protection.

"My little girl was going to be a star," Connie Moreno said. "I'm going to miss her. She used to sing to me all the time."

Martin was also remembered for her academic achievements.

"She had awards and everything -- science projects on the wall at school and everything. She was doing real good. It's sad and I hate it. They say the good always die young," a neighbor said.

"It's heart-wrenching. It (was) Father's Day and what an awful way for a father to have a day," another neighbor said.

The 16-year-old could remain in juvenile custody for 10 days, when another hearing will be held to determine if she should be released.

Child welfare workers said they have investigated the family in the past after allegations that the sisters' physical needs were not being met because of alleged drug use by the adults, KPRC reported.