HOUSTON – Houston police are still searching for the people involved in a drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl. Kenniec Smith was killed Saturday while talking with friends in the driveway of an Alief area home.
"She liked to go out with her friends, she liked to dance, she liked to be in a lot of activities," said Tenesha Smith, Kenniec's mother. "She played volleyball and basketball too."
Smith said she moved Kenniec and her two other daughters to a new neighborhood five months ago. Smith said Kenniec often returned to their old neighborhood for sleepovers with her best friend.
Smith said the last time she spoke with her daughter was Saturday evening when she called to tell her she would pick her up.
"She sounded so happy on the phone, she said, 'no, can I stay, can I please stay?' She was having fun, and I told her, 'yeah,'" said Smith. "Then two hours later I got that phone call."
Police said Kenniec was talking with her friend and her friend's brother in the driveway of the home on Ashford River near Dairy View when 4 men in a grey Honda drove up, opened fire and sped off. Kenniec was shot one time and died. Her friends were wounded, but survived.
Police believe Kenniec was an unintended target. Family members at the home suspect the shooting was the result of some type of jealous feud that had nothing to do with Kenniec.
The following day friends and family gathered for a vigil at the house when someone fired shots at the crowd. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
"(Police) say they have good leads, but I don't know if they know exactly who did it," Smith said.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to try to raise funds to bury Kenniec.