Photo Credit: Facebook/Harris County Sheriff's Office

Texas Teen Murdered By Mother’s Boyfriend While Being Held Captive

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Lauren Juma of Humble, Texas was fatally shot by her mother’s boyfriend early Friday morning according to police. Relatives said he lived with her and her mother for three years.

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The 16-year-old was reportedly alone with her mother’s boyfriend. Van Henry Brisbon, 60 around 1 a.m. when the shooting took place. Her sister, Kercya Harmon, told ABC 13 that Juma felt uncomfortable around him: “It was 1 o’clock in the morning, and she just said he was being really weird and she wanted me to come to pick her up. That’s what I did.” However, Harmon said once she arrived at the home, police were already there.

“By the time I got there, the police were already out there searching around the house. I was there about three minutes before I heard two gunshots go off, and I ran toward the house,” she explained tearfully. Court documents also stated that Brisbon was standing in Juma’s room in the dark while she was on FaceTime with her mother, Laurie Young, and told her she wanted him to leave.

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Once Young reportedly told Brisbon to get out, Juma screamed “mom he has a gun” and the call suddenly ended. The outlet also said Young rushed home from a work training program after receiving the terrifying call. She said her daughter had several plans for her future which included joining the Airforce after high school.

“She was 16. She just joined the cheerleading team. She had a bright future ahead of her, and she was going to go to the U.S. Air Force when she graduated. He can rot in jail. He had no reason for taking my baby’s life. Sixteen years old.”

Harmon was charged with murder and his bond was set for $1 million.

Juma’s school district also released a statement offering her family their condolences in the wake of her tragic passing.

“This morning, the district was notified of the death of one of our Nimitz High School students who passed away early Friday morning. We are deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Our community mourns her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones, and friends during this very difficult time. Counselors and the district’s crisis team have been mobilized to respond to this tragic event and will be available to students and staff to assist them during this difficult time.”

A GoFundMe account was also launched for Juma’s family to help with funeral expenses.

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