Pubdate: Fri, 14 Feb 2003
Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX)
Copyright: 2003 San Antonio Express-News
Contact:  http://www.mysanantonio.com/expressnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/384
Author: Jesse Bogan, Express-News Staff Writer

FAMILY SAYS GOODBYE TO GIRL SHOT BY DEA AGENTS

Family and friends gathered this morning to bury the 14-year-old girl
who was shot by DEA agents during a weekend stakeout.
About 400 people attended the funeral of Ashley Villarreal at St.
Jude's Catholic Church on the city's West Side.

Ashley was shot in the head late Sunday by DEA agents who had been
searching for her father, a cocaine trafficking suspect. Agents
believed her father, Joey Villarreal, was trying to flee when they
shot into the darkened car driven by Ashley.

Father Jose Giganto told mourners that a sudden death, particularly
that of a child, can be especially sad. But he urged her family to
turn to God.

"As we say goodby to Ashley, we are here to thank God for her - to
thank God for her 14 years of life," Giganto said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek