A group of cheerleaders were meeting up at their local carpool spot in the HEB parking lot in Elgin, Texas, when they were reportedly shot at by a stranger. Two of the cheerleaders were injured during the apparent misunderstanding. One cheerleader mistakenly got into the wrong car and, upon noticing a man in the passenger's seat, apologized and quickly got out to get into her friend's car. But the man allegedly came toward their vehicle and started shooting.
One cheerleader was only grazed by a bullet, but another, an 18-year-old high schooler, was hit multiple times and badly injured, reported KENS5. She is currently in the ICU of a local hospital.
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The cheerleaders were using the grocery store parking lot to carpool to practice.
Police officers responded to reports of shots being fired at the HEB supermarket on Tuesday around 12:15 a.m., and received a second call about a shooting victim, but resolved that it was the same incident, reported NPR. Heather Roth, the girl who was grazed by a bullet, was treated on the scene, but Payton Washington, who was shot in the leg and back, was in critical condition and had to be taken to a hospital. She is reportedly still in the ICU.
The four cheerleaders present during the incident frequently used the HEB parking lot to meet up and carpool together to practice multiple times throughout the week, traveling from Round Rock to Oak Ridge, reported ABC 13.
When the one cheerleader mistakenly got into the wrong car and noticed the man in the passenger seat, she reportedly apologized and returned to her friend's car. The man then allegedly came toward their car and started shooting into it, while they tried to drive away, reported KENS 5.
The cheerleader in critical condition is an exceptional athlete and role model in the cheer community.
The owner of the Woodlands Elite Cheer Company, Lynne Shearer, said the two injured cheerleaders use her gym to train. "She’s really a huge face in the all-star cheerleading world. She’s a mentor and role model to so many kids in this industry. She’s an amazing athlete, an amazing kid, so everybody knows her and everybody’s praying for her," she said of Washington, according to KENS 5.
Washington is a high school senior in Round Rock, Texas, and is reportedly joining Baylor's acrobatics and tumbling team on a scholarship later in the year, the news outlet reported. Woodlands Elite General posted on its social media accounts asking the cheer community to pray for the injured cheerleaders and wear red in a show of support.
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The suspect was apprehended and is facing charges.
Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr., 25, who allegedly shot at the two cheerleaders, was apprehended by police and is facing a third-degree felony, which could result in two to 10 years in prison, according to NPR.
The Elgin Police Department shared a media release on Tuesday, stating that it is still actively investigating the incident and that additional charges may be filed alongside the deadly conduct charge.
The local community is fundraising to support Washington's long road to recovery.
Woodlands Elite Generals is organizing a fundraiser to help Washington’s family with medical expenses and to help with her recovery.
“Payton was shot twice and badly injured. She is stable in the ICU and will have a long road to recovery,” reads the message on GoFundMe. "Please consider helping to ease the financial burden to this family of their medical expenses. We ask that you keep our athletes in your prayers at this devastating time."
So far $88,000 has been raised of the $100,000 goal.
