Stray bullet victim's kin vow fight for justice on eve of burial

On the eve of her burial, kin of stray bullet victim Stephanie Nicole Ella promised to continue the fight to bring her killer to justice.

 

Stephanie Nicole's relatives were emotional as they recalled her happy moments during her wake at the Lord's Flock Sanctuary International in Caloocan City.

 

"Hindi ko siya mapapatawad sa ginawa niya sa iyo. Hahanapin namin siya Nicole (I cannot forgive your killer. We will find him, Nicole)," her mother Ellaine said, according to a report on "Saksi" Friday night.

 

Ella, 7, was hit by a stray bullet while watching fireworks outside her house in Caloocan City during the New Year revelry.

 

She died at the East Avenue Medical Center on Jan. 2, after suffering eight heart attacks. Her death provoked outrage and a debate on gun control.

 

At Friday night's wake, Ella's father Jay was also emotional, while her grandfather Aquilino made a similar promise to fight for justice.

 

For his part, Ella's uncle Marvin regretted not being able to protect her.

 

"Katabi ko siya nang nabaril siya, wala po akong nagawa (I was beside her when she was shot. Yet I was helpless to do anything)," Marvin said.  

Meanwhile, Ella's neighbor George Da was charged on inquest for illegal possession of ammunition, after police found a 9-mm pistol and ammunition for a cal-.45 pistol during a search on his house Thursday.

 

Neighbors had said Da was firing his handgun during the revelry but Da denied this. He is presently not considered a suspect in the death of Ella.  — ELR, GMA News