NEVAEH OLIVIA and LILLIANA VALENT - 6 yo and 2 yo (2/2014)/ Accused: Brendon Gaytan and Cruz Salaza - Corpus Christi TX

Two Children Killed in Drive-By Shooting Identified
Posted: Feb 17, 2014 1:17 PM CST Updated: Feb 24, 2014 12:54 PM CST

CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -  The two children who were killed in a drive-by in the 4700 block of Cheryl Drive late Sunday night have been identified as six-year old Nevaeh Oliva and two-year old Lilliana Valent.

The two girls were cousins.

Police are still looking for a suspect, who was described as a male wearing a black hoodie and black shorts and driving a two-door vehicle.

It was just after 11 p.m. Sunday when shots were fired from a vehicle on Cheryl Drive, near Mansheim Boulevard, killing the two children.

Judging by appearances at the scene, the suspect shot at the home more than 20 times, and the front room belonged to the child. Police are still trying to figure out whether it this was a drive-by shooting or if someone actually got out of the vehicle and opened fire. Neighbors said they believe a rifle was used in the shooting.

Investigators were on the scene until early Monday morning, including Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson. They were looking for any kind of evidence left behind in the yard.

The children were rushed to the hospital, where were pronounced dead. Two-year old Lilliana died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Six-year old Nevaeh died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Lilliana was at Nevaeh's house celebrating a small birthday party that night.

Nevaeh was a first grader at Berlanga Elementary School.

Neighbors in the area were pretty shaken up by the incident. One man brought a small memorial wreath for the girls and said a prayer. He said even though he did not know the family, he was heartbroken when he heard what happened.

"I don't know them," the neighbor said. "All I know was that their were two children, you know, and children are the pride their God's joy."

The Corpus Christi Police Department's Gang Unit responded to assist with the investigation as a resource, although there is no evidence as to whether or not it is related to gang activity. No suspects have been arrested, but police are looking for a suspect who was described as a male wearing a black hoodie and black shorts. He was seen driving a two-door vehicle.

If you have any information regarding this crime, please call Corpus Christi detectives at 361-886-2841.

Two relatives of the family visited with 3News Monday to talk about helping the parents with funeral expenses. The aunt of the two-year old girl and another relative are trying to create a memorial fund in the name of Lilliana Boo Valent.

Lilliana's aunt, Lynette Valent, said the young couple was just starting out and Lilliana's mother is eight-months pregnant with another child.

"We just want closure for Lilliana," Lynette said. "If anybody has any information about what's going on, please contact the police."

http://www.kiiitv.com/story/24744974/two-children-killed-in-drive-by-shooting-identified

CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) - Monday marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting on Cheryl Drive that claimed the lives of two little girls.

A jury has been selected for the trial of one of the suspects, Brendan Gaytan. He and Cruz Salazar are accused of being behind the shooting last year. They are charged in the shooting deaths of six-year old Nevaeh Oliva and two-year old Lilliana Valent.

An affidavit report indicates that it was gang retaliation against family members. Both have plead not guilty and could will face the death penalty.

Two beautiful little girls taken by the increasing street gang violence here in Corpus Christi.

CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) - Prosecutors presented more forensic evidence Monday in the capital murder trial of Brendon Gaytan, one of the men suspected in the 2015 Cheryl Drive shooting that claimed the lives of two little girls.

Nueces County Medical Examiner Dr. Ray Fernandez testified that both of the children suffered from massive wounds, with entrance and exit wounds that did massive damage -- traumatic injuries that no one could have survived.

Surveillance footage was also presented to the jury. The footage came from a home near the shooting, and it showed a car described by witnesses as the getaway car. They recreated the scene using a car similar to the one seen in the video to pinpoint the time it took to leave the scene of the shooting and then pass the surveillance camera.

The defense is expected to present its witnesses on Tuesday

CORPUS CHRISTI -

Thursday afternoon, Brendon Gaytan was found guilty of capital murder. The judgment was made at 3:40 p.m. after family was brought into the courtroom. The punishment phase will begin tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

The jury had begun it's third day of deliberations in the capital murder trail of Brendon Gaytan Thursday morning. He's accused of killing Lillyanna Valent and Neveah Oliva in a drive-by shooting on Cheryl Drive. Gaytan's half-brother, Cruz Salazar, will be tried separately.

During the second day of deliberations, the jury sent several notes to the judge asking to review evidence. They first asked for clarification on evidence that was not presented during testimony. Judge Missy Medary responded, "You have received all the evidence admitted in the case, please continue deliberating." A second note requested a DVD player so they could review video evidence. Further requests were made for testimony by family members from both sides of the case.

The 6 and 2 year old girls were shot during a birthday party at a family home. Arnold Valent, a father to one of the victims, told the court he believes Gaytan targeted him in the home, but killed the girls instead.

Gaytan's defense attorney Eric Perkins used closing arguments to question Valent's credibility. He reminded the jury of the father's agitated state while testifying. He claims Valent lied about being the target because no one knew he was at the home. He further argued that there is no way Gaytan was seen at the time of the shooting.

The attorney pointed out that the father of the other victim was found to be hiding stolen firearms at the home. And perhaps he was targeted by someone other than the defendant. He also stated 4 crimes committed by others have been ignored in order for prosecutors to have evidence and testimony to present in trial.

Prosecutor Kelly Palmarozzi used her closing arguments to remind the jury that Arnold Valent was facing the man accused of killing his daughter. She said just because he "lost his cool" in the courtroom doesn't mean he isn't telling the truth.

One down, only one more to find guilty of the senseless murders of the two little girls!

CORPUS CHRISTI -

Brendon Gaytan was found guilty of capital murder Thursday. Today, his punishment was handed out after 10 minutes of jury deliberation. He has been given life without parole.

He was found guilty of killing Lillyanna Valent and Neveah Oliva in a drive-by shooting on Cheryl Drive.

Impact victim statements are being given at this time.