STOCKTON, Calif. — The family of a 17-year-old high school senior who was shot and killed at a house party in Stockton over the weekend says his death was senseless.
His father identified him as Donye Teal and says he was too young to leave this world.
"It's just unreal seeing this spot," said Vail Teal Sr.
Donye Teal's father and brother met Tuesday at the same spot he was shot at during a house party late Saturday night on E Whitehouse Road in San Joaquin County.
"It's harder, I'm sorry. It's harder when you go back and look just knowing that this was the last place he was breathing. (He) came out here to have a good time and I'm learning stuff...he didn't even want to be here," Vail Teal Sr. said.
He said from what he understands, Donye Teal was shot while trying to protect his girlfriend, cousin and her boyfriend.
"There was an incident with a group of other kids that were messing with my cousin and her boyfriend, and when they tried asking about it, the situation pretty much just escalated," said Vail Teal Jr., Donye's older brother. "A fight broke out and my brother stepped in to help out our cousins and when he did, it escalated even more."
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office says the shooting is being investigated as a homicide.
Vail Teal Jr. said the family wants justice.
"A lot of times in situations like this, especially because of the area, they think that it has to do with gang violence or gang affiliation, but it's nothing like that at all," he said. "He was a good kid and he deserved better. He was one of the happiest kids that you could meet, always full of laughter and jokes. That's all we ever did whenever we talked and spent time together. It was just him clowning me, me clowning him. I mean he never took anything personal."
The family says Donye Teal was a senior at Pearson Education Center in Modesto. ABC10 reached out to the center, but they said they're not commenting out of respect for the family.
Later this week, the family will gather for Thanksgiving, but Donye Teal will be missing. His father has a message for those responsible.
"Find out why you are this way, pay your consequences for your crime, and then spend that time to better yourself," he said.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said it's asking anyone with information to please come forward.
The family has a GoFundMe page set up to pay for the funeral and other costs.
