Payton Washington Parents Speak Out: Father of Shooting Victim His Daughter Was Shot in Leg and Back, Spleen Removal Necessary
Payton Washington is a cheerleader at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas.
She has achieved remarkable success in her athletic career and has been widely recognized for her accomplishments.
While on her way home from practice with three companions, Payton Washington and her friends were fired upon, purportedly by a 25-year-old suspect who has since been apprehended.
Washington and Heather Roth were struck multiple times by a man seated in a car that Roth had mistakenly entered as they attempted to carpool home from practice.
She sustained injuries to her leg and back and was airlifted to a hospital on April 17 after she began to vomit blood at the H-E-B supermarket parking lot.
The injuries to her organs were severe enough to necessitate the removal of her spleen.
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Payton Washington Parents: Father Kelan Washington Shared About Shooting
During an exclusive interview with ABC, Kelan Washington, the Father of a young woman who was shot while on her way home, explained that his daughter, Payton Washington and her companions did not appear intimidating to the car owner they mistakenly approached.
According to him, four young girls had just finished cheerleading practice, and his daughter was dressed in her cheer outfit when she approached the car door by mistake.
Following the incident, the Woodlands Elite Cheer Company cheerleaders supported their teammates, including Heather Roth, who sustained a grazing injury, and Payton Washington, who was shot twice and had to be airlifted to a hospital.
Heather expressed confidence in Payton’s strength and resilience, saying she believed her friend would emerge from the experience remarkably.
The girls regularly traveled from Austin to the Woodlands to attend practice, meeting at an H-E-B in Elgin before carpooling.
During their return trip home, Heather mistakenly opened a car door she believed to be hers, only to see someone inside.
When she quickly retreated to her friend’s car, the individual from the other vehicle got out and approached them. Heather rolled down her window to apologize, but the person began shooting.
As per Payton Washington’s Father, Payton is a beautiful person both on the inside and out, stating that she positively influences those around her.
He added that she inspires others to be better athletes, students, and Christians.
Now, Police have arrested and charged a 25-year-old suspect named Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr. with deadly conduct, which is a third-degree felony.
GoFundMe Campaign was Established to Assist with Payton’s Medical Bills
A GoFundMe Campaign has been established to assist with Payton’s medical expenses.
According to her GoFundMe, a recent senseless and random act of violence left three Generals, and one Red Angel shot. Payton was injured and sustained two gunshot wounds, leaving her in critical condition.
Currently, she is stable and receiving care in the ICU but will have a long road to recovery. A Gofundme Campaign has been created to help ease the financial burden of her medical expenses.
Additionally, Woodlands Elite Cheer Company posted on Instagram, “4 of our girls were involved in a horrific incident on their way home after a practice last night. Please keep these girls and our WE cheer family in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate our cheer community.”
The Independent has contacted Woodlands Elite Cheer Company for a statement regarding the incident.
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