SCHULENBURG, Texas — Police on Saturday arrested the man they say is responsible for the death of a 16-year-old cheerleader in Edna, Texas.
Texas Rangers arrested Rafael Govea Romero in Schulenburg, Texas, and charged him with capital murder, according to the Edna Police Department. They said he lived there. He was taken to the Jackson County Jail.
Lizbeth Medina, a student at Edna High School, was found dead by her mother, Jacqueline Medina, on Tuesday in a bathtub inside their apartment unit. Her cause of death still has not been publicly released.
"Although Romero is apprehended, we recognize Lizbeth's family and friends are grieving and will still need support from the community," Edna Police Chief Rick Boone said in a news release.
Edna residents said they were relieved to hear about the arrest, but they're not ready to rest easy.
"My hat goes off to Edna PD, the Texas Rangers and everybody that was involved," Edna resident Roy Castro said. "We know there’s been an arrest made but, of course, we have to get the story behind it."
"We have a great police department here," Edna resident Jacklyn Law said.
Neighbors said the crime has left an impact on the community.
"It's kind of taken a toll on the whole community," Castro said.
The residents said the tight-knit community is finding a sense of comfort knowing the suspect was in custody.
"I'm glad they caught somebody," Edna resident Larry Guerrero said. "It's awesome. Good work."
Mother of cheerleader killed wants justice
Jacqueline Medina was left heartbroken and demanded justice for her daughter. The family set up a GoFundMe account to help with expenses.
She and Lizbeth had only lived in Edna for about a year. Jacquelin said she's now living a nightmare.
"The most horrible way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood," she said.
Lizbeth was her only child and had so much to look forward to in life.
"It should have been a great day because she was involved in the Christmas parade. She was going to be with the cheer squad," Jacquelin said.
Lizbeth never made it to the parade.
"I lost it. She was my world, my everything. ... Everything I do was for her," Jacquelin said.
Jacquelin said she feels broken and lost without her best friend.
"Someone dared to go in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me," she said. "I just want answers to why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldn't dare to hurt anyone."
Jacquelin said she has felt the love and support from the small town. Lizbeth's death rattled the Edna community.
"She was a very good girl, and recently, I've received messages from hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people. And it amazes me because I didn't know how much she was loved by everybody else," Jacquelin said.