A memorial is growing at the playground where 14-year-old Anaya Zachary was fatally shot while playing. Her family, including her godmother Sonya Stanford, are struggling to accept the heartbreaking loss.
According to reports, on March 22, 2025, Anaya was shot at a playground in the Village Lane apartment complex in Baytown. The alleged shooter is a 13-year-old classmate from Baytown Junior Middle School. The tragedy unfolded after a small altercation occurred on a school bus earlier that day.
Sonya Stanford, who had been taking care of Anaya for the past year, described her goddaughter as a sweet, honor-roll student with a kind heart. “She was a sweet kid, an honor roll student. Never had no problems yes ma’am, no ma’am. Thank you, no thank you. This was a sweet baby,” she recalled. Anaya’s life was tragically cut short during what should have been a normal day of childhood play.
The incident escalated when the boy allegedly went home, dressed in all black, and returned to the playground, where he shot Anaya four times. “Her and the little boy got into it on the bus, and he got off the bus, he went home, he came back,” Stanford recounted. “Anaya came in and asked me, ‘Tia, can I go outside?’” Those innocent words would be the last normal conversation her godmother would have with her.
Stanford expressed deep frustration over the entire situation and emphasized that, had she known about the altercation, she would have intervened. “If I knew there was an altercation, me being who I am again, I would’ve went to the little boy’s parents with Anaya to see if we can get this resolved because stuff like this occurs all the time, but this does not make any sense at all,” she said.
She subsequently directed her anger towards the boy’s parents, saying, “You should have put your weapon up so your 13-year-old son wouldn’t have gotten this gun and shot my child. I am very hurt, I am very disappointed.” As the investigation continues, the Baytown police have taken the 13-year-old suspect into custody, yet the community is left grieved and baffled by this senseless act of violence.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to search for answers as to how such a tragedy could occur in their community. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Anaya’s family is relying on their faith to carry them through this painful period. Stanford mentioned that they continue to lean on each other and their church for support, as they navigate the immense sorrow of their loss.
This incident not only calls attention to the issue of gun access for minors but also to the broader societal implications of youth violence. In a world where such tragic occurrences seem to happen with alarming frequency, community leaders and parents alike are left grappling with how to prevent such incidents in the future.
As the community mourns the loss of a vibrant young life, many are also calling for action. Vigils have been organized to honor Anaya, and discussions on gun safety and youth conflict resolution are being revived in schools and neighborhoods. Anaya's story has sparked a wave of grief and, hopefully, a renewed commitment to making neighborhoods safer for children.
The discussions will carry on as authorities hope to tighten regulations on firearm access for minors, aiming to ensure that incidents like this do not happen again. Anaya will be remembered as an honor-roll student, a joy to her community, and a shining light that was extinguished far too soon.
As Anaya’s legacy lives on, her family and friends are determined to keep her memory alive in their hearts and the hearts of those she touched with her kindness and spirit.
