Father opens up to WFTV about daughter's murder

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A Poinciana family is struggling to deal with the loss of another daughter tonight.

Alicia Barnett, 18, was last seen when her father dropped her off in a parking lot early Monday morning so she could catch a city bus to school.

"Oh she was very helpful with friends and other. She'll give you the shirt off your back," said Al Barnett, the victim's father.

Barnett opened his doors only to Channel 9 to speak about the pain his family is feeling a day after his daughter was murdered.

"It's almost like I don't know what to do," said Barnett.

Police said Alicia was walking along the Chain of Lakes Trail on her way to school early yesterday morning.

Around 8 a.m. residents living near the trial said they heard gunshots.

When police got there, they found Alicia dead from multiple gunshots just a couple feet off the trail.

Tuesday police and volunteers searched areas around the trail for evidence.

"Was she having problems with anyone at school," asked Channel 9's Drew Petrimoulx.

"No, no everybody likes her," said Barnett.

Alicia's father said his daughter was on a fast track to a high school diploma and wanted to be a nurse.

He said Alicia had rededicated herself to God after her 20-year-old sister was murdered in South Florida.

"I just can't believe this is my baby girl, two of my baby girls dead in one year," said Barnett.

Al Barnett said the suspect in his other daughter's murder is set to stand trial in December.

A $1,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to an arrest in Alicia's murder.

WFTV