Charges Filed After Missouri Teen Shot and Left in Home

Three boys are now facing criminal charges linked to a tragic incident involving a Missouri teenager, who was shot and left in her home for several hours until her mother returned to discover her body.

On Saturday afternoon, authorities responded to a house on Tower Road near Hillsboro, about 45 minutes from St. Louis. There, they found 16-year-old Gabriela Boister with a gunshot wound to her head. It’s believed that the shooting took place Friday evening while the boys were inside her home.

One of the suspects has been charged with multiple counts, including manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon, while the other two boys were charged with abandoning a corpse and subsequently released. The suspects have not been publicly identified since they are minors.

Gabriela’s mother, Candy Gsell, was outside the home during the shooting. She told local media that she last spoke with her daughter Friday night, urging her to lock the door before she stepped out. Gsell discovered her daughter’s body upon returning home and called for help, but Gabriela was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gsell recounted the moment she found her daughter, stating, “In the blink of an eye. She didn’t deserve that.” As for the circumstances surrounding the shooting, investigators have not disclosed specific details, but it’s noted that Gabriela had been friends with the suspects.

“This is not a game. Guns are not toys,” Gsell emphasized, highlighting the serious nature of the incident. Grant Bissell from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office mentioned the incident has deeply affected multiple families, saying, “The loss of life cannot be avoided.” He stressed the situation is a unfortunate outcome for everyone involved.

The mother shared her memories of Gabriela, affectionately called “Gabby” by friends. She described her daughter as caring and loving, someone who dreamed of becoming a sonographer. Instead of getting ready for school, Gsell found herself planning a funeral, expressing her grief with, “What mother wants to bury her baby?”

In the wake of Gabriela’s death, the Hillsboro School District announced that grief counselors would be available for students and families. Superintendent Dr. John Isaacson released a statement offering condolences, emphasizing support for the community during this devastating time.