Mother of murdered 10-year-old girl: 'He's going to get what he deserves'

Cody Gann, 18, charged in fatal, gang-related Thanksgiving drive-by shooting

SAN ANTONIO – The mother of a 10-year-old girl killed in a Thanksgiving Day drive-by shooting said she still lacks full closure despite the suspected killer being arrested.

Cody Gann, 18, was arrested Thursday night in connection with the shooting death of Delilah Hernandez at her family's home in the 100 block of Harwood Drive. 

The eight days since the drive-by have been a whirlwind for her mother, Jacqueline Vega, who takes at least some solace in Gann's arrest and murder charge.

Related: Suspect in 10-year-old girl's murder was gang rival of victim's brother, police say

"I mean, I can sleep a little better, but it still isn't going to bring my daughter back," Vega said.

Vega said she believes justice has been served with Gann's arrest.

"He's going to get what he deserves, one way or another. It will eat at him," she said.

Police believe Hernandez's older brother, who they said is a documented member of the Bloods gang, was the target of the drive-by shooting, which was suspected retaliation for two earlier shootings. 

Related: NW Side family grieving after 10-year-old daughter killed in Thanksgiving shooting

Vega's son described Gann as a rival gang member to police.

"This guy pulled the trigger, not my son," Vega said.

Gann was arrested with Jasmine Cary, 19, who Vega said was her son's ex-girlfriend. According to an arrest affidavit, Vega's son told police that Cary and Gann were now dating.

Gann's father's home was hit by gunfire on Sept. 1, and Cary's family home was hit on Nov. 22, just over 24 hours before the drive-by shooting that killed Delilah, the affidavit said. No one has been charged in the earlier shootings.

Cary was not charged in the girl's death, but on an old arrest warrant. However, her name appears throughout the affidavit, and police confirmed they are still investigating her connection to the shooting.

Related: Classmates, teachers, friends mourn girl, 10, killed in possible gang-related shooting

"She just needs to admit to what she did, and why my daughter's dead," Vega said.

As she stood near the growing memorial to Delilah on her front steps, Vega said she was already planning on moving. She has other children she needs to consider.

"They need to be safe and we don't feel safe, here," she said.


About the Author:

Garrett Brnger is a reporter with KSAT 12.