Girlfriend, Family of Road Rage Victim Advocate for Victim's Rights
By: Victor Sotelo
Updated: February 3, 2012
In just a few days it will be one year since 21-year-old Austin David was shot in a fit of road rage by Christopher North on a busy street in front of several witnesses in south Abilene.
Stephanie Molina was in the car with David and witnessed her boyfriend's murder.
Now a year later in her first interview since the shooting Molina explains how she and David's mother are leading a crusade to help other victims.
It happened in the middle of the day and it shocked the city of Abilene. A case of road rage that ended with 21-year-old Austin David dead after being shot in the head in the middle of Sales Boulevard near the South 14th intersection.
The shooter, Christopher North, would eventually be charged with and convicted of murder.
As tragic as it was it was just the beginning for Stephanie Molina, who was in the car with Austin David when he was shot. She held him in her arms as he was dying.
"The last thing, as a victim that you want to feel is feel more victimized," Molina said.
When police arrived she was taken to a patrol car then to the police station to give a statement. "I was scared, I felt so many different feelings. I felt scared I didn't know what was going on," said Molina.
And the 21-year-old was alone until she was taken by police to the hospital with a friend.
"How do you know that someone has gone through something so tragic and then just say 'OK, run along.' It's not OK," said Molina.
That's where Austin David's mother comes in. She saw what was happening to Stephanie and was going through it herself. Although they had each other, Sari David said it could have gone better.
"I'm really interested in finding out where we need to make the biggest steps in victims' rights," David said.
David arranged a meeting with the city manager and chief of police Stan Standridge just last week, and Changes are already being made.
"Her feedback was more than appropriate and we are going to remedy that probably as early as next week," said Chief Standridge.
This is just the beginning for both Sari David and the police department.
As for Molina, she said she knows Austin is looking down, proud of his mother.
"I am just happy that people and victims are going to start getting the help they need, because they don't deserve to feel alone, they deserve to get the help they need and because of her they are going to get that," said Molina.
Sari David said it has helped her to be a victim's advocate and she will have a Facebook page up by next week where other victims can seek help.
Stephanie Molina was in the car with David and witnessed her boyfriend's murder.
Now a year later in her first interview since the shooting Molina explains how she and David's mother are leading a crusade to help other victims.
It happened in the middle of the day and it shocked the city of Abilene. A case of road rage that ended with 21-year-old Austin David dead after being shot in the head in the middle of Sales Boulevard near the South 14th intersection.
The shooter, Christopher North, would eventually be charged with and convicted of murder.
As tragic as it was it was just the beginning for Stephanie Molina, who was in the car with Austin David when he was shot. She held him in her arms as he was dying.
"The last thing, as a victim that you want to feel is feel more victimized," Molina said.
When police arrived she was taken to a patrol car then to the police station to give a statement. "I was scared, I felt so many different feelings. I felt scared I didn't know what was going on," said Molina.
And the 21-year-old was alone until she was taken by police to the hospital with a friend.
"How do you know that someone has gone through something so tragic and then just say 'OK, run along.' It's not OK," said Molina.
That's where Austin David's mother comes in. She saw what was happening to Stephanie and was going through it herself. Although they had each other, Sari David said it could have gone better.
"I'm really interested in finding out where we need to make the biggest steps in victims' rights," David said.
David arranged a meeting with the city manager and chief of police Stan Standridge just last week, and Changes are already being made.
"Her feedback was more than appropriate and we are going to remedy that probably as early as next week," said Chief Standridge.
This is just the beginning for both Sari David and the police department.
As for Molina, she said she knows Austin is looking down, proud of his mother.
"I am just happy that people and victims are going to start getting the help they need, because they don't deserve to feel alone, they deserve to get the help they need and because of her they are going to get that," said Molina.
Sari David said it has helped her to be a victim's advocate and she will have a Facebook page up by next week where other victims can seek help.
