Teen shooting victim's family speaks out

DAYTON (WDTN) - Charges have been approved against a Dayton man accused of killing a 13-year old girl on Sunday.

As of 5:45 p.m. Monday, Dameon Wesley was still on the run, but Montgomery County Prosecutors have charged him with murder, kidnapping, burglary and assault.

The deadly shooting happened inside a house on Home Avenue. 13 year-old Briona Rodgers was shot and killed and family members told 2 NEWS her 13 year-old cousin was clinging to life.

"It's like everything around me just stopped, time stopped and everything and I'm like this can't be happening," said Tanya Horton, Briona's aunt.

Horton's still struggling to understand how anyone could kill her niece, who by all accounts, was a friendly and outgoing kid with an infectious grin.

 "She always had a smile on her face. I had never seen her with a frown, mad or upset. She's always happy," added Horton.
 
On Sunday, Horton was visiting another family member on Home Avenue when she heard the gunshots. That's when she looked out the window and said she saw Briona's mother's ex-boyfriend, convicted murderer Dameon Wesley, walking down the sidewalk with a gun in hand.

Moments later, Horton learned Briona had been killed and her 13 year old cousin, A'lonta Culpepper was also shot and struggling to survive.

"She got out of surgery, but basically she's hanging on for dear life," said Horton.

News of the shooting quickly spread throughout the community and to City Day Charter School where Briona was in the 8th grade. In a phone interview, City Day's principal told 2 NEWS Briona was an amazing girl and great student.

The charter school was shut down Monday so teachers and classmates could grieve.

City Day is scheduled to re-open on Tuesday. School officials said they will have grief counselors on hand to help support students and staff when they return.