Teen shooting victim 'had a really loving heart,' says sister in exclusive interview
Exclusive: Sister speaks out after brother killed in Ashburn
Nicolas Mejia, 16, was shot and killed over the weekend according to family. Police say the alleged shooter, 19-year-old Fadlalla Mohamed, was apparently out on a $1,000 unsecured bond in an unrelated case. FOX 5 spoke with Jasmine Mercer, Nicolas' older sister, in an exclusive interview.
ASHBURN, Va. - Nicolas Mejia, 16, was shot and killed over the weekend according to family. Police say the alleged shooter, 19-year-old Fadlalla Mohamed, was apparently out on a $1,000 unsecured bond in an unrelated case.
FOX 5's Tisha Lewis spoke with Jasmine Mercer, Nicolas' older sister, in an exclusive interview.
What they're saying:
"Nicolas, he was a light of fresh air for a lot of us. He was always making jokes and he was really good about uplifting people and making them laugh and smile," Mercer said. "Nicolas had a really loving heart. He cared about his family a lot. He would do anything to protect and show us that he was there for us, and he really loved and cared for his friends as well."
Mejia was a junior in high school, according to his sister. He would have turned 17 next month.
"Nicolas was a very optimistic person and he did often talk about his future and what that looked like and really he just he really wanted to just be successful and do well for himself and he had a lot of goals of taking care of us as a kid," she told FOX 5.
PREVIOUS STORY: Juvenile shot and killed near Ashburn shopping center
What we know:
Detectives say the altercation between Mejia and Mohamed began at an apartment complex on Hillmont Terrace in Broadlands on Saturday evening.
Detectives say Mejia was shot near the homes on Hillmont Terrace and then tried to drive away from the shooting scene but only made it to Southern Walk Plaza. He was found inside the car in the Harris Teeter parking lot just before 6 p.m.
Man accused of killing 16-year-old in Loudoun Co. was out on bond
FOX 5 has learned that a young man accused of shooting and killing a 16-year-old boy was out on bond at the time of the deadly incident.
Mercer tells FOX 5 she was not aware of her brother knowing Mohamed. On Saturday night, he was hanging out with a "close friend."
"I believe that he should not have been released or that there should have been more strict restrictions put in place to keep him from ultimately leading to this senseless act," said Jasmine.
Mercer says their family is "left with a lot of things unanswered" as the investigation is active and ongoing.
PREVIOUS STORY: Man accused of shooting, killing 16-year-old in Loudoun County was out on bond
What you can do:
The family has started a GoFundMe. If you'd like to donate, click here.
The Source: This story includes previous FOX 5 DC reporting and an exclusive interview with the victim's sister.