Family of slain 13-year-old pleads for help in catching killers

The family of a 13-year-old girl shot to death outside her home early Monday has issued a plea that people come forward with information “that can lead to the capture of the trash who killed our princess.”

There are no new developments in the shooting, which also injured the victim’s 15-year-old brother, but the lead detective “wants to strongly encourage anyone with info to call him,” said Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Heather Graves on Friday. Callers can reach Detective Ra Pouv at 209-572-9826 or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.

Brisa Covarrubius, who had just graduated from Mark Twain Junior High School, was shot in the 1600 block of Pelton Avenue about 12:20 a.m. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Brisa and her brother were in front of their residence when a vehicle pulled up, police said. After a short conversation between the driver and Brisa’s brother, a passenger pulled out a gun and shot both teens. Brisa’s family has said her brother was hit in the arm while trying to shield her from the shots.

“He’s good, healing OK physically,” Teresa Funk, aunt of the siblings, said about Brisa’s brother. “But emotionally, the family is having a really hard time.”

The teens’ mother hopes to attend some car-wash fundraisers being held this weekend so she can thank friends and family for their support, but her daughter’s death is taking a great toll on her, Funk said.

The car washes are scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. in the parking lots of the Kmart at 1351 E. Hatch Road and The Home Depot at 1617 N. Carpenter Road, Funk said. The event in the Kmart lot also includes tacos and drinks for sale and will continue Sunday, she said.

With eight children, “Brisa’s mother was the sole breadwinner of her household, and many expenses need to be covered due to this tragic event,” Funk said.

A benefit car wash also was held Friday at the corner of 14th and D streets but was shut down early by the city, Funk said. She shared a photo showing a Modesto Water Conservation Program notice of violation for washing cars after 9 a.m. and flooding gutters.

Amy Vickery, public information officer for the city, looked into the incident and emailed The Modesto Bee this response: “A resident called water conservation to report that someone was operating a car wash on 14th and D streets and that there was a lot of water runoff. The time of the call was 12:21 p.m. and our service person arrived at 1 p.m. and talked with the shop owner (providing water). He explained about the water schedule because today is a no-water day. He told him they would have to stop the car wash and gave him a notice of violation. This was just a written notice (no fine).

“Unfortunately, water inspectors sometimes face difficult circumstances like this. Utilities service staff must address complaints about water violations and follow up. At this point, the only exemption to the water usage policy is the ‘plant establishment exemption’ approved May 24 by the City Council. This permit allows a 90-day exemption for new landscaping. The city is looking into other water use permit options for situations such as this and other car wash fundraisers to benefit nonprofit organizations. The city and staff feel terrible for this family and the tragic loss they have experienced.”

Services for Brisa will be held June 9-10, but times and a location have yet to be determined, Funk said.

A GoFundMe page titled “Justice for Brisa” had raised $2,625 as of Friday afternoon.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Family of slain 13-year-old pleads for help in catching killers."