Dad Grieves ‘Caring’ 17-YO Girl Killed in Drive-by Shooting Outside House Party | “A Beautiful Soul Taken Too Early”

Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of gun violence that some readers may find distressing.

A family is mourning the loss of their 17-year-old daughter who was killed after a house party in California. Justina Stubbe was fatally shot, just steps away from the campus of California State University Chico. The incident took place around 3:26 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, outside the house party in Chico. Five other people were also injured in the drive-by shooting. According to ABC 10, the injured include a 17-year-old girl, a 19-year-old man, and a 21-year-old man all in stable condition. An 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old man were both discharged.

Police were initially called to the house party around 2:56 a.m. when a firearm was reportedly brandished. When cops arrived they noted: "There was some mention of firearms being seen at the party and we responded and were able to disperse the party." 30 minutes later "these folks came by and fired off rounds." At 3:26 a.m. when the cops were called back after reports of several people being struck by gunfire, they found six victims.

"We have a couple of people identified as people of interest," Chico Police Chief, Billy Aldridge, told PEOPLE. "We are following up on all investigative leads, making proper identification and hopefully that pans out by the end of the day." 

"The person who was living there saw they had weapons on them and asked them to leave," the authorities said. "I think this was very isolated and had nothing to do in particular with anybody who was shot," he added. So far Chico Police have not found or arrested any suspect(s). "It is a university city," added Aldridge. "There are parties all over. I don't think [the shooters] were students. Just local thugs that carry firearms because they commit crimes all the time."

The late teen's family is devastated by her shocking and senseless death. Her father, Joshua Stubbe, released a statement to KRCR on Monday, which read in part, "Justina was a smart, funny, caring, beautiful 17-year-old who loved life and was always down for anything. She made friends wherever she went and everybody loved her. She was always making TikToks and doing her perfect makeup."

He further added, "She was extremely family oriented, always making it to family BBQs and birthday dinners, and always playing "Mama Hen" to her sisters, brother, and little cousins. Nothing prepares you for a loss like this. There is a hole in our hearts that will forever be a void. A beautiful soul that was taken too early due to unnecessary violence." The father also said, "We will not rest until the monster who did this to our baby is caught and behind bars, and justice is served." A GoFundMe has been set up to cover funeral expenses.

Anyone with information related to this incident contact the Chico Police Department Detective Bureau at 530-897-5820.

References:

https://people.com/crime/17-year-old-killed-after-california-house-party/

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/justina-stubbe-identified-killed-chico-house-party-shooting

https://krcrtv.com/news/local/a-beautiful-soul-was-taken-too-soon-father-of-girl-slain-in-chico-shooting-speaks-out

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-cost-for-justina-stubbe

Cover Image Source: GoFundMe