Friends, family prepare for teen's funeral

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Family and friends are preparing to pay their final farewell to a 13-year-old girl who lost her life in an instant.

Just a week ago, no one who knew 13-year-old Lourdes Guzman could imagine they would be attending her wake. "Her mother is devastated," said David Font. "It's a situation no parent would ever imagine."

Jordyn Howe, the student who police said pulled the trigger on a school bus, is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in Miami. He said it was an accident.

But Sunday night, Lourdes' mother, family and friends mourned the teen they called bright, cheerful and outgoing at the Caballero Funeral Home. Lourdes' cousin spoke on behalf of mourners and the teen's mother. "She's very aware of everyone that has come through and have given support," said Font.

Lourdes was on the way to school Tuesday morning when, Miami-Dade Police said, 15-year-old Howe took a gun out of his book bag. As he was showing it off, a bullet rang out and accidentally struck Guzman in the neck.

Southwest 137th Avenue in Homestead where the bus came to a halt has been transformed into a memorial for the Palm Glades Academy student.

There has been an overwhelming amount of support for Guzman's family. "I'm just over here supporting the Guzman family," said Carlos Aguilar, whose son, Christian Aguilar, was also murdered recently.

He too knows the pain of losing a child. "She's in a position right now where nothing that you can say will make a difference, and that's the same way we felt when we found out about my son."

The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Monday at the Caballero Funeral Home.

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