Family releases statement in the wake of teen's death in Delaware State shooting
They'll remember a beautiful girl with an infectious smile.
The family of Camay De Silva is now faced with planning the celebration of life for their daughter, their sister, their niece lost to gun violence. The family released a statement to Dover police Wednesday as investigation continues into the shooting of their 18-year-old at Delaware State University.
"Camay had a bright future ahead of her," the family wrote three days after her death.
The Wilmington teen had goals to pursue a degree in computer science, family said, getting her start at Delaware Technical Community College after graduating from Concord High. De Silva planned to transfer soon and follow her best friend to Delaware State, looking to one day work in cybersecurity.
Last weekend, she was on that Dover campus to visit her friend, to take part in some spring campus festivities. Her family never expected her not to come home.
"While our faith is strong, the family is requesting time to grieve and plan Camay's celebration of life," they penned in the wake of tragedy. "Additionally, we understand the investigation is pending, and we do not want to jeopardize or compromise the outcome."
Back in the early hours of Sunday morning, De Silva was shot just outside the north end of an underpass outside Warren Franklin Residential Hall. Found after a call reported it by 1:40 a.m., DeSilva was unconscious when rushed to Bayhealth Kent Campus, police said. But it was too late.
Details remain limited on what events led to the shooting, though police noted Sunday no one else was injured. DeSilva was identified by Monday morning after the family was reached. Tuesday morning, Delaware State shared resources with the university community in a virtual forum.
"We are praying for the faculty, staff and students of DSU," her family said. "We are praying for law enforcement ... as they are forced to manage this tragedy."
In their faith, family members wrote, they must also pray for whoever carried out this "senseless act of gun violence."
'No words can satisfy': University speaks to community after teen killed at Delaware State
Dover police leads the investigation for such a perpetrator or perpetrators. Anyone with information is asked to call 302-736-7130, while remaining anonymous. No arrests have been announced as of Wednesday afternoon, while further updates were not given in the post.
"Lastly," the family wrote, "we are praying for all families who have experienced the loss of a child far too soon."
Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at 231-622-2191 or kepowers@gannett.com. Follow her on X @kpowers01.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Family speaks out in the wake of teen's death in DSU shooting
