A young mother was shot and killed last night in Santa Elena. 25 year old Brenda Castellanos was hanging out with her friend 35 year old Jennis August. Our information is that they were sitting in their yard on Bishop Martin Street when two gunmen opened fire in the yard. August was shot to the chest and Castellanos was hit to the rib cage and ankle. Castellanos died on the way to the hospital. Courtney Weatherburne has more.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
This morning, the scenes of crime team was at this Bishop Street residence collecting more evidence
While neighbors wandered in the yard trying to come to terms with last night's senseless murder.
Jennise August and Brenda Castellanos were hanging out under this tree in their yard right outside August's nail salon.
Reports are that two gunmen emerged from the back of the house, stood here and opened fire in the yard - hitting both August and Castellanos. As many as 11 shots were fired. The neighbors had no idea what was happening.
Algunon Andrews, Neighbor
"I was in my house, all I hear was "Pppll" and I say it is cuetes because you know they use the long ribbon, so I said it is cuete so I didn't move. When my grandson get there he said dad they just shot Jennise and Brenda. When I come out they already left with them."
August survived but Castellanos died shortly after. What is also disturbing is that several children were in the yard at the time and Castellanos had her 2 year old son in her hand.
Javier Castellanos, Uncle
"From what we have heard when the incident occurred she had her child in her arm and it is said that when the incident happened she tried to move and shield the baby."
Family and friends are all shocked because neither August nor Castellanos are known to have any enemies who would want them dead.
Reporter
"You said you were very close to Jennise and you knew Ms. Castellanos as well too, did they ever confide in you and tell you if they are going through any struggles or if anybody was out to get them?"
Voice of: Friend
"No they didn't tell me about any incident because like I said they are good people, they are good friends of mine and I don't know them as that, they are very nice people so it was really shocking for me when I heard about this incident mein."
Our information is that this incident was a revenge killing, the gunmen went looking for a man who lives in the same compound but instead they shot the women. One of Castellanos' close friends reflected on their special friendship - shattered by gun violence.
Brenisha Anderson, Friend
"I have pictures and videos of her dancing, we video chat, we screen shot pictures, stuff that she give me and I give she so."
"When we go out to town, all of us go dressing the same for Christmas, she already told us she wants all of us in red dress and she wants us to celebrate, for us to go to her house because she will have cake and stuff for us."
Castellanos leaves behind a 2 year old son. Castellanos lived in the downstairs flat of house in the compound and August lives upstairs. Our information is that August is stable and she is communicating. We will keep following this case.
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