Arrest Made In Tragic Shooting Of Texas Cross Country Runner Evette Quezada

Johanna Gretschel

Cross country runner Evette Quezada died in a tragic shooting in her hometown of Ferris, Texas this weekend.

Ferris High School cross country runner Evette Quezada died in a tragic shooting over the weekend in her rural hometown of Ferris, Texas. The 18-year-old recent graduate was found on Sunday morning in a car with her brother, who suffered a wound to his hand and was taken to the hospital.

Quezada passed away after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.

On Tuesday morning, Frank "Frankie" Ortiz was arrested and taken into custody in Ellis County.

According to a report by USA Today, the three were in a car together with Quezada's brother driving. It has not been determined what led to the shooting, but police responded to a 'disturbance' at 2:30 a.m.

The Ferris High School community is devastated about the death of one of the school's young leaders. Quezada broke every school record on the track this spring, according to the school district athletic director.

"She is the type of person that every parent wants their young daughter to be like," Aaron Emeyabbi said in a statement to News 8. "She was hard working, intelligent, outgoing, polite, puts other's feelings before her own, the list goes on."

Quezada placed 39th at the Texas State Cross Country Championship in the fall.

Support the Quezada family and contribute to their fundraising here.