When 15-year-old Anthony Santiago left the house Wednesday night, he told his mother, Brendalise Crespo, that he was going to the park.
Crespo said she has no idea how her son got the weapon and that she’s devastated about his violent death.
“I know my son’s not this type of person, and he didn’t deserve to get killed,” said Crespo.
Investigators said Santiago and another teenager, Joshua Zapata, 17, exchanged shots during a heated argument in an East Orange County neighborhood.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Zapata survived and is stable at a hospital, but Orange County deputies said he's been very uncooperative with the investigation.
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“I just want this kid to pay for what he’s done to my son. He took a part of my life,” said Crespo.
She said she doesn’t know what the two teenagers were fighting about.
Crespo said she had a deep conversation with her son before he died.
“He was like, ‘Mom, I want to get a job. I want to change my life, and you know, I want to start going to church with you,’” said Crespo.
She said Santiago was facing charges related to a weapon for having bullets in his pocket, but added that he was holding onto those bullets for someone else.
“I searched all his stuff, and he didn’t have a gun in the home. I’m a Christian woman. I know everything that comes in and out of my home,” Crespo said.
Deputies said the investigation into who started the fight, what it was about and if the 17-year-old should be charged with Santiago’s death is ongoing.
“He’s a good kid. He’s a really good kid, and he has a very good heart,” said Crespo.
Investigators said Santiago was shot multiple times.
Crespo said the boys attended Colonial High School.
Cox Media Group
