‘A beautiful soul’: Mourners gather to remember 15-year-old victim of Texas shooting
ODESSA, Texas — Her high school basketball jersey number was 23. Her quinceañera was in May. Her name is Leilah Eliana Hernandez.
The priest punctuated the words and told the audience the good Leilah brought into the world remains active in the hearts of those who loved her.
At 15, Leilah was the youngest person to die in a shooting rampage Saturday between Midland and Odessa. Seven people were killed and 25 injured.
On Friday, upwards of 1,000 people gathered at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Odessa to attend funeral services for Leilah. Thirty minutes into the service, church ushers were still escorting people into pews brimming with others who came to pay their last respects.
Candles flickered in the corners of the cathedral. Smokey tendrils of incense wafted in the air. Murmured sobs bubbled up from the assembled audience as the priest summarized the life of a girl who died tragically young.
“Brothers and sisters, we come here today to honor a beautiful soul,” he said.
At least a dozen young people wore white t-shirts with Leilah’s number on the back — the words “Forever in our hearts” written underneath a solemn black 23.
Leilah was described as a typical teenager in one sense, and beautifully different in others – a naturally shy girl who became a quiet leader on the basketball court.
A girl who worked hard, respected her teachers and parents, and loved spending time with her family.
“Fear and hurt and anger does not have the last word,” the priest said. “There’s nothing that can take away the good that Leilah is.”
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This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Odessa shooting victim Leilah Eliana Hernandez mourned at funeral
