By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-23 15:11:40 | Updated at 2024-12-23 18:47:24
3 hours ago
A beloved California cheerleader was stabbed to death after meeting up with the ex-boyfriend she was warned to stay away from.
Angelina Camillia Gonzales, 17, was killed on Friday at her ex's home in Azusa, according to the Azusa Police Department.
The suspect, an unidentified 18-year-old, picked up Gonzales - 'a dedicated member' of Azusa High School's cheer squad - following a cheerleading banquet that night.
A worried family member soon tracked her cell phone to his home, but when her step-father Robert Caraballo arrived, it was too late.
'When I got there, there was already crime scene tape up and forensics and all kinds of stuff,' Caraballo told KABC.
'And I ran up to the officers like, "Hey, my daughter's in there. You know, my daughter is in there. I'm trying to find her. She's not home." And that's when they told me, "Sit aside for a minute",' he recalled.
Officers responded to the home on the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue around 10pm, where they found Gonzales suffering from multiple stab wounds.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead, the department said. Her ex-boyfriend was arrested shortly after the fatal stabbing.
Angelina Camillia Gonzales, 17, was tragically killed on Friday at her ex's home in Azusa, California
Authorities found the teenager suffering from multiple stab wounds at the scene. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she later died
Her heartbroken stepfather said he warned Gonzales to stay away from her ex-boyfriend, but that she had a big heart that would often find the good in others.
Her brother, Ruben Torress has remembered his sister as someone who was 'always bubbly, happy, funny personality. Always cracking jokes.
'It's unreal, like just the fact that you know, anyone could bring themselves to harm just such a sweet and loving, funny person,' Torress added.
In addition to being a cheerleader for her high school, Gonzales had just joined the wrestling team and won her very first match.
Though she enjoyed both sports, her step-father said her biggest passion was cheerleading.
'She was practicing at home and wanted to be on another stunt team. And that was like her heart cheering for a long time,' Caraballo told the outlet.
Her unidentified ex-boyfriend allegedly picked Gonzales up from a cheerleading banquet that night
She was also very successful academically, as the Azusa Unified School District called her an 'extraordinary artist' who won first place at the Congressional Art Competition in June.
Gonzales was also awarded the Judge's choice Award in 2022. Her artwork is currently on display in the U.S. Capital, the district noted in an Instagram post.
'Her creative talents and vibrant personality enriched our community in countless ways,' the district added.
The accomplished teenager was counting down the days before her 18th birthday on January 7, her family revealed.
'She was looking forward to that. She's amazing - I'm broken right now, not gonna lie to you, because the little bit of time that I had with her, I can't even,' Carballo said as he choked up.
The late cheerleader's mother, Letica Pimentel Caraballo, created a GoFundMe page in honor of Gonzales.
'On Friday December 20, 2024 my baby was taken from us. She was only 17 about to have her 18th birthday on January 7th,' she wrote.
In addition to being a cheerleader for her high school, Gonzales had just joined the wrestling team and won her very first match
'She had such a great future ahead of her. She had a heart of gold. She was my perfect gorgeous Angel baby. I don't even have the words to say. I can't even cope. I need her. Our family is devastated. We appreciate all the support and love. Thank you all.'
As of Monday morning, more than $7,500 was raised in memory of Gonzales.
Her family is also hosting a car wash in honor of the teenager on Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8070 in Azusa from 9am to 3pm.
'Always let your family, anyone you know, that you love them. Let them know you're proud of them,' her brother said.
The 18-year-old - described as an 'acquaintance' of Gonzales - is currently in custody. The case is set to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office is currently handling the investigation and has asked the public to contact the department if they have any information on the incident.
DailyMail.com contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office for comment.
