Angelina Camillia G.
By Marsh (Edi) Baptise
After receiving a warning to avoid her ex-boyfriend, the tight-knit community of Azusa, California, is mourning the loss of 17-year-old Angelina Camillia Gonzales, a high school cheerleader and aspiring athlete, who was fatally stabbed on Friday night.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on December 20 near Azusa High School’s West Campus, in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue. Authorities responding to a 911 call discovered Angelina with multiple stab wounds. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
An 18-year-old male, identified as her ex-boyfriend, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. Investigators believe the attack was targeted, but the motive remains under investigation. Angelina was well-known in the community as an enthusiastic and vibrant student at Azusa High School. In addition to her role as a cheerleader, she had recently joined the school’s wrestling team and was looking forward to celebrating her 18th birthday on January 7. Friends, family, and teachers have described her as kind-hearted, ambitious, and deeply loved by those who knew her.
Her family has organized a car wash and bake sale fundraiser at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, December 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A GoFundMe page has also been created to support the family during this difficult time. The murder of Angelina Camillia Gonzales has reignited concerns about domestic violence and the vulnerability of young women. Advocates are calling for more resources to educate teens about abusive relationships and to provide them with tools to seek help when needed.
“This is a devastating loss, not just for Angelina’s family but for the entire community,” said Maria Lopez, a local advocate for domestic violence prevention. “We must work harder to protect our young women and provide the resources they need to stay safe.” The Azusa Police Department is working closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to ensure justice is served. Officials are urging anyone with additional information about the case to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or visit lacrimestoppers.org to provide tips anonymously.
The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the community, with residents coming together to honor Angelina’s life and to demand action to prevent similar incidents in the future. A vigil is being planned in her memory, with details to be announced in the coming days.
As Azusa mourns the loss of a promising young life, the focus remains on seeking justice for Angelina and addressing the systemic issues that allow such tragedies to occur.If you want to support Angelina's family, please visit their GoFundMe page and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-our-angelina-camillia-gonzales