'I Want Justice. You Should Not Have To Bury Your Child,' Says Mother of 14-Year-Old

TAMPA, FL — She loved drawing, clothes and experimenting with new hairstyles.

"She was my baby, my girlie girl," said Ashley Alexander of Temple Terrace, the mother of 14-year-old Nilexia Brionna Alexander, who was found shot to death just off Floribraska Avenue Friday.

Police received a call reporting the body. Prior to that, residents in the area said they heard gunshots.

Speaking at a news conference at the Tampa Police Headquarters Tuesday, Ashley Alexander appealed to anyone with information on her daughter's killer to come forward.

See related story: Girl Found Fatally Shot May Be 14-Year-Old Runaway From Temple Terrace

"I am begging. She was just 14, a 14-year-old girl was murdered for no reason," she said, breaking into tears as she held a photograph of her daughter. "This is not a pain a parent has to feel. You should not have to bury your baby. You should not have to bury your child. I want justice."

Sheehy Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Delia Gadson recalled how excited Nilexia was to become a member of the school's safety patrol that Gadson sponsored. She shared photos showing a happy, enthusiastic girl performing patrol duties and attending a safety patrol dinner.

"Lexi was a beautiful and bright student," Gadson said. "Our hearts are broken."

Sandra Bentil, assistant public information officer for the Tampa police, said there have been no arrests in the case. She said detectives are still investigating why someone would fatally shoot a young girl and leave her body by the side of the road.

Nilexia Alexander was reported missing two weeks ago and listed as a runaway by Temple Terrace police, who said she was known to hang out in the Jackson Heights area of West Tampa.

Nilexia Alexander's mother and other family members along with members of the community held a vigil to celebrate Nilexia's life Wednesday in the 100 block of Floribraska Avenue where Nilexia Alexander's body was found.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, at 2 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N 29th St., Tampa.

A viewing will take place Friday, May 13, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home.

In the meantime, detectives are asking anyone who may have seen Nilexia Alexander in the last two weeks to call the Tampa Police Department’s non-emergency line at 813-231-6130.