SAN DIEGO — The 16-year-old who was gunned down following a National City house party on October 28, 2022, was identified as Gillian Del Valle, the sister of Janessa Del Valle, 19, who was shot and killed in front of their Bonita home in 2020.
National City police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1800 block of East 17th Street around 11:35 p.m. on October 28 following reports that two teenagers had been shot, according to police.
"There was a large crowd with a party, and when National City Police officers got here, additional assistance with the San Diego Police, Chula Vista, and the Sheriff's Department [was requested] to help secure the scene," said Lt. Derek Aydelotte, with National City police.
16-year-old Gillian Del Valle was pronounced dead on scene, suffering from gunshot wounds, according to police.
Another 18-year-old male victim was also pronounced dead on scene suffering from gunshot wounds, Lt. Aydelotte said.
"Gillian was a giving friend, loving sister, and loyal daughter," a GoFundMe created by her mother detailed.
Initial investigations in 2020 revealed Janessa Del Valle, her sister Gillian Del Valle, and several other women were involved in a fight in a Bonita parking lot before Janessa was fatally shot, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Homicide Unit.
"Gillian had just turned [sixteen] before this senseless act occurred. She was preparing for college, enjoyed thrift shopping, celebrating her friends Quinceanera's, and taking care of her cat Tommy and dog Duke. She impacted many people's lives and was beginning to learn how to drive to get her driver's license," her mother said.
Gillian was dropped off at another party and left her original location in an Uber to go to another party in National City with a friend, but they couldn't get in, Gillian's mother, Diana Del Valle, told CBS 8.
While Gillian was outside the National City Halloween party, she noticed friends on the street, and within seconds of approaching them to say hello, gunfire erupted; Gillian's mom continued.
"I heard gunshots, then glass breaking," said Angel Yanez, who witnessed parts of the crime from his nearby home.
Yanez said he saw girls and guys running around the street yelling and then saw two people lying in puddles of blood on the ground.
The 18-year-old victim who was shot and killed after the Halloween house party went to Sweetwater High School with Angel Yanez, who Yanez identified as Edwin.
Marco Navarro, a community activist in National City and close friend of the 18-year-old victim's mother confirmed to CBS 8 that the victim's full name was Edwin Barrera.
"I would tell any kid hanging around with the wrong crowd to step away, stick to your education, and get involved with sports. We need more after-school activities," Navarro continued.
Diana Del Valle said her daughter, Gillian, did not know who Edwin was.
"It saddens me. Children should not die at such an early age. Children are our future. This is a good, quiet neighborhood. It's strange for this to happen around here. I feel for their families, and I hope this doesn't happen again," said Jay Hernandez, who lived in National City.
Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis of National City said, "...it is essential that we help bring justice to the family by providing any information that may help the National City Police department find the perpetrator(s). Detectives need your help to get this person(s) off the street. This person can not be roaming the streets while the victim's family can no longer hug their loved ones."
Anyone with information is urged to call the National City Police Department Investigations Division at 619-336-4457 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
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