SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – One year after the Thanksgiving night shooting death of a 12-year-old boy in San Diego's Skyline neighborhood, his murder remains unsolved.
On the evening of Nov. 25, 2021, Angel Gaspar was shot and later died at a hospital after being struck by a bullet while in the backyard of a home at 7426 Cahill Drive, according to San Diego Police.
Police said the boy was in the backyard during a Thanksgiving gathering when a bullet “came from east of the location and went through the backyard fence before striking Angel.”
Investigators determined the child was victim of a stray bullet; his death is being investigated as a homicide.
“It has tragically … not separated the family but hurt us so much that we don’t see Thanksgiving like we once did,” said Angel’s aunt, Maria Gaspar Casillas.
Gaspar Casillas said the holiday is forever changed in their family.
“This year, we didn’t want to do a gathering at the house because we wanted to remember Angel and honor him,” Gaspar Casillas said.
Gaspar Casillas told ABC 10News they honored their loved by doing what he loved, experiencing new places.
“I went to my best friends’ for Thanksgiving and then we met up with his parents and siblings in San Francisco on Saturday. And on their way back, they went to visit Yosemite,” Gaspar Casillas said. “Just them and the kids, and kind of had their own time with their family and Angel was with them.”
As Angel’s family lives with this loss every day, they’re still looking for answers and are hoping a reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers brings someone or something forward.
“We want someone to come forward and speak up. You know, take responsibility for their actions, and help us move forward,” Gaspar Casillas said.
Even if they get those answers, Gaspar Casillas said it still won’t bring Angel back.
“But it’s going help us heal part of us that’s missing. Maybe close a chapter that, you know, it sucks. While other people are with their family celebrating, we’re still mourning Angel,” Gaspar Casillas said.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Anonymous tips can be submitted at sdcrimestoppers.org.
