Mother Charged After 10-Year-Old Kills Teen Neighbor

Police say the dispute began when Elaina Gomez-Villeda, 40, asked neighbors to lower their music. After she returned to her apartment, she and a neighbor argued again, and a physical fight broke out. The neighbor’s teenage daughter, Rangel, tried to intervene, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint says Gomez-Villeda told her son to get her handgun. He returned with it and fired once, killing Rangel. Gomez-Villeda then took the boy inside and called 911. She later told detectives that her neighbors had attacked her after she complained about the music.

During the emergency call, a man believed to be Rangel’s father tried to force his way into Gomez-Villeda’s apartment, damaging a window, authorities said. Gomez-Villeda allegedly fired at him. A search of her apartment found other firearms that were not secured; a revolver found outside was listed as stolen in a national database.

Gomez-Villeda was charged Sunday with killing Rangel, mistreating a child, encouraging juvenile delinquency and other offenses. She was scheduled to appear in court on November 2. Prosecutors asked that she remain in custody while the case proceeds, arguing in a court filing that her actions showed disregard for others’ safety.

The boy has not been charged. Police and prosecutors, together with state authorities, are assessing next steps in light of his age. The investigation is ongoing.