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Avery's mom, 19

In memory of Avery Jacob Flores

I remember it was December 11, at 4:30 p.m. I was at work, and my son texted me, saying he felt weird, empty. I started talking to him and told him I loved him and his brothers and sister. I was the closing manager that night, so I didn’t get off until about 11:40/11:50. Got home, showered, went to bed. I texted all my kids in a group chat, and I told them “I love u all” that night. I told my son, “May god get u home safe.”

It was about 12 when I fell asleep. I woke up to banging on my door. My sister was out of breath, crying, and I said, “What happened?” And she was like, “Avery. He’s unresponsive.” I said, “What?”

He had a best friend who had his location. I called and said “Give me his location now.” I drove, and that’s when I saw a crime scene. I asked them if it was my son. They couldn’t tell me until later, when they confirmed my son was shot over jealously and a girl. He was shot 14 times. Two killed him with an AR-25, I believe they told me.

While my son was dying in the car, a bystander came to help him. The person who shot my son fled, and the family stood surrounding the car to watch him die. The guy is still out on bond.

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