Cheerleader Rylee Goodrich was on first date with Anthony Barajas when she was killed in shooting during Purge screening
THE cheerleader who was shot dead during a screening of a movie was on her first date with TikTok star Anthony Barajas when she was killed.
Rylee Goodrich, 18, was found dead and her date and TikTok star Anthony Barajas, 19, was severely injured in the attack in California.
Her dad, Dave Goodrich, told Fox11: “It was their first date.
“And a boy her dad actually approved of.”
Joseph Jimenez, 20, was arrested on Tuesday night by Corona police and booked for murder, attempted murder, and robbery, officials announced on Wednesday.
Rylee’s wallet is said to have been found at his home.
Dave Goodrich added: “She had no money in it. The boy was paying for everything and I thought she just had her phone.”
The suspect is not thought to have known the victims, according to police; they do not think the theme of the movie is connected to the crime.
MIDNIGHT SHOWING
The young couple were watching The Forever Purge – a dystopian action film where the government allows all crime including murder – when the shooting erupted on Monday.
The shooting took place just before midnight at the Regal Edwards Corona Crossings, California.
Staff reportedly discovered the victims while they were cleaning up, the New York Post reports.
Employee Kailyn Dillon told KCAL: “During the actual movie time, no one apparently heard the gunshot.”
Barajas was taken to hospital and was on life support, according to ABC7.
MURDER WEAPON
Police didn’t recover a firearm at the scene. However, during a search of Jiminez’s home in El Cerrito on Tuesday, officers found a gun they believe was used to carry out the shooting.
“During the search of the residence, a firearm and additional evidence related to the crime scene were discovered. The firearm matched the caliber of the weapon used in the murder,” police stated in a press release.
Jiminez was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside at 4.07am where he remains in lieu of a $2 million bond.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Police say the attack was unprovoked.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover Rylee’s funeral expenses.
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The teen was a cheerleader and played volleyball. She was given a scholarship to Grand Canyon University in its STEM program, according to ABC7.
Rylee’s cousin Ashley Cole told the outlet that the teen had a “great heart” and enjoyed helping others.
Soccer player Barajas had more than 920,000 followers on TikTok and more than 40,000 followers on Instagram.
