Kody Lott: Texas Man Arrested For Shooting Two 13-Year-Old Girls As They Walked Home From School


Police officials from the Wichita Falls Police Department have arrested a 20-year-old man who has confessed to have shot two 13-year-old girls as they walked home from school, killing one of them. According to News Channel 6 Now, the man, identified as Kody Lott, was picked up by police officials during a traffic stop, two days after the girls were shot at. The two victims were eventually identified as Lauren Landavazo and Makayla Smith – both eighth-grade students at a local school. While Lauren succumbed to her injuries, Makayla is still fighting for her life at a local hospital. Officials are still clueless as to what motivated Kody Lott to open fire at the girls.

According to police, the incident happened last Friday at around 3.30 p.m. local time. Kody (then referred to as an unknown gunman) opened fire from inside a pickup truck as the two girls, who are friends, walked toward their homes. Several eyewitnesses saw the shooting and raised an alarm. Kody was, however, able to escape from the area. Following the shootings, both the girls were rushed to a nearby hospital where Lauren Landavazo was brought in dead. Makayla Smith survived – but is still undergoing treatment.

Shortly after the incident, there were several posts on social media that talked about the incident being racially motivated. Some people alleged that the gunman was a white supremacist who opened fire at Lauren for being friends with Makayla. Wichita Falls police later issued a statement saying that the rumors were unfounded and that they were still investigating the incident. They also released a statement that read the following.

“There has been a recent report show up on social media and other websites that makes references to the shooting. The statement claims that it was committed by a white supremacist who targeted the victims due to their race and friendship. The WFPD wants to strongly refute that claim. There has been no evidence found to indicate such a motive.”

Meanwhile, in an interaction with the media, Wichita Falls Police Chief Manuel Borrego told reporters that every effort would be made to solve the case while adding that the incident happened in a very quiet residential area of the city. He also described the incident as “tragic.”

“We’re going to work this until this is resolved. It’s very tragic and heartbreaking that this involved two young people.”

Two days after the incident, authorities managed to arrest Kody Lott who was inside a vehicle that matched the description provided by eyewitnesses. Kody was stopped by the police at a traffic intersection while he was driving the suspicious vehicle. A search revealed that he was in possession of a prohibited weapon which then led to his arrest. Upon further questioning, Kody is reported to have confessed to the shooting of both the girls.

Lott has since then been charged with two counts of murder, aggravated assault and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon. As of Sunday, he was being held at the Wichita County Jail on a total bond amount of $4,001,000.

A statement issued by Michael Kuhrt, superintendent of the school district where the incident happened, said the following.

“I am saddened to report that one of those girls passed away and the other is in guarded condition. Please know that the district is coordinating efforts to provide grief counselors for students. As soon as we have more information about those resources, we will pass that along to you. As a district, we are saddened by this senseless act of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved.”

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has been set for the Landavazo family so that they the funeral expenses for Lauren is taken care of So far, more than $12,000 have been raised. A tribute to Lauren, on the GoFundMe page described her as a “beautiful child that has not got the chance to experience life.”

It further read the following.

” I’m asking for any help to lift what burden is possibly during this darkest time. 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,”

[Image via Wichita Falls Police Department]

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