CHULA VISTA, Calif. — From the messages and letters left near the 12-year-old boy’s home over the weekend and Monday, you can see just how loved Max Mendoza was. He was killed over the weekend in an incident that was still under investigation as of Monday.
Chula Vista police said they got a call of a shooting at the Woodland Hills Condominium Complex on Saturday morning. When they arrived, they found the boy with a gunshot wound on the sidewalk. Max’s family was home at the time, and they were the ones who called for help. Medics transported the boy to the hospital and despite performing life-saving measures he died.
Near the scene of the crime, friends wrote, “Long live Max" on a wall.
Max’s mother said she had just registered her son for 7th grade at Hilltop Middle School. He had recently celebrated his promotion from Rogers Elementary School.
The news of the death saddened those in the neighborhood.
"We met him a few times," said Gabriel Ochoa, neighbor. ”We don’t know for sure what happened with the boy but we knew him [from] seeing him around the neighborhood. My kids played out here all the time. It’s a quiet neighborhood.”
Officers said they detained and questioned a 15-year-old companion of Max’s, but later released him. Friends of the family told News 8, they believe the 15-year-old brought the gun to the home.
Throughout the day, friends continued to leave things at the wall. The boy’s mother stood close by as friends came to console her.
On Monday during a private vigil held near his home, his sister Macy talked about how her little brother liked to make her feel safe.
“He was really overprotective. Even though he’s four years younger than me, he’s like, 'if any guy gets near you, I’m going to deal with them. I’m going to get them,'” said 16-year-old Macy Mendoza.
While the investigation of the shooting continues, the family grapples with their devastating loss.
“It’s surreal. Who goes home and thinks their 12-year-old brother is gone? He’s only 12. He had so much to live for. He still had his whole life ahead of him,” Macy said.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to cover funeral expenses.
The Chula Vista Police Department is continuing the investigation and urges anyone with information to call San Diego County Crime stoppers at 888-580-8477.