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13-Year-Old Killed and Her Friend Wounded in Shooting as They Walked Home from School

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A Texas man who allegedly shot two 13-year-old girls Friday as they walked home from school, killing one and wounding the other, was arrested Sunday, PEOPLE confirms. Police say Kody Lott, 20, allegedly shot Lauren Landavazo and Makayla Smith in an alleyway in Wichita Falls. Landavazo died and Smith is in stable condition, Sgt. Harold McClure of the Wichita Falls police tells PEOPLE.
The suspect was at large for two days, but on Sunday, Lott was pulled over following a citizen tip when his vehicle matched the suspect's description, according to a Wichita Falls police statement. He was initially arrested on charges of possession of a prohibited weapon; he allegedly confessed to the shooting while being questioned in the police station, according to the statement.
Lott's alleged motive is still unknown, McClure tells PEOPLE.
Lott is currently in the Wichita County Jail on charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, according to the statement. His bail was expected to be set at $4 million, police Chief Manuel Borrego told the Times Record News It was not immediately clear if Lott had entered a plea or retained an attorney.

Both girls were eighth grade students at McNiel Middle School, Wichita Falls Independent School District Superintendent Michael Kuhrt confirmed in a Facebook Post.

"As a district, we are saddened by this senseless act of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved," Kuhrt said.

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A GoFundMe page devoted to Landavazo says, "She would light up the room with her smile that never left her face. She was loved by everyone. She was energetic, smart, caring, fun loving, and overall an angel. The world will not be the same without her."

According to Smith's brother, Tre'vion Elliot, who spoke with theTimes Record News, the pair were "best friends" who regularly walked home from school together because they live in the same neighborhood.

Elliot told the paper he had heard that before she fell to the ground, Smith ran to tell other students behind them to run away.

On Saturday, friends and family of both girls held a memorial near where the shooting took place, and a local Sam's Club held a cookout and fundraiser to benefit Landavazo's family, the Times Record News reports.
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