A five-year-old girl was killed in a drive-by shooting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, leading to charges against four teenagers.

The incident took place on August 13 around 6 a.m.

The young victim, Galilea Samaniego, was killed as she slept in a trailer home, prompting decisive action from local authorities.

During a press conference on Monday, August 21, the Albuquerque Police Department announced the arrest of two boys, aged 15 and 16. They are charged with murder, conspiracy, and firearm-related offenses. Authorities are still searching for two brothers, aged 15 and 17, who face similar charges. Due to their age, the identities of the teenagers remain undisclosed.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Samaniego was not the intended target of the shooting. Instead, the gunfire resulted from a dispute between two teenagers, one of whom lived in the same trailer home as the girl.

Deputy Chief Cecily Barker highlighted that the shooting occurred in a residence housing several families.

The teenagers, who were driving two stolen Kia Soul vehicles, opened fire. One of the bullets pierced the trailer, fatally wounding Samaniego in the head. Despite immediate medical attention, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The ongoing investigation has found a link between shell casings at the scene and previous incidents involving the same group of juvenile suspects. Authorities are working to determine the source of the firearms used in the shooting.

Deputy Chief Barker urged the community to come together against such violence. She encouraged residents to report aggressive behavior and offer support to struggling youth. In response, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover the victim’s funeral expenses.

According to her obituary, Samaniego is survived by her parents, three siblings, and grandparents.