3 more arrested in shooting death of Freeport boy at park

FREEPORT, Texas – A woman and two more teens were arrested Thursday in connection to the shooting death of a Freeport boy.

Leslie Jaime, 35, a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old were arrested more than a week after another 14-year-old was taken into custody.

Police said the shooting death of Juan Borja, 13, at Peppermint Park in Freeport began with a burglary in a neighboring town.

Police said that burglary involved the theft of several guns, some of which are still unaccounted for.

"Why him, why? I mean, we don't understand," Borja's sister, Luz Tapia said.

Tapia said it's still too hard to accept that her little brother is gone forever.

"We're still thinking that my brother is on vacation, or that my brother, he's going to come back," said Tapia.

Police said Borja was accidentally shot by another boy at the park. Police said Borja pulled out a gun to show other boys, and at some point a 14-year-old boy shot his friend. Police said they determined the gun involved in the shooting came from a burglary in the neighboring town of Jones Creek.

"As we were bringing witnesses in, names started getting brought up about this building that's in Jones Creek," said Capt. Raymond Garivey.

Police said no one lives at a rundown trailer in Jones Creek, but the owner still used it for storage, which included several guns. Police said Leslie Jaime, 35, drove a group of teens to the trailer.

Police said the teens broke into the trailer and stole several guns. Twelve handguns, 1 rifle and 1 shotgun have been recovered, but police believe more weapons haven't been found. Police said the owner can't remember how many guns he kept in the trailer.

Police said one of the stolen guns wound up in the hands of Borja. Investigators said Borja had nothing to do with the burglary and they are still trying to figure out exactly how he got the gun.

"It's so hard because he was a good kid," said Tapia.

In addition to the 14-year-old boy arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with Borja's shooting, Jaime and two other boys were arrested in connection with the burglary.

Jaime is also charged with felon in possession of a weapon, court records show she has a prior record for drug possession.

Jaime is in the Brazoria County jail on a $125,000 bond.

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About the Authors:

Award winning investigative journalist who joined KPRC 2 in July 2000. Husband and father of the Master of Disaster and Chaos Gremlin. “I don’t drink coffee to wake up, I wake up to drink coffee.”