Counselors and GoFundMe page set up in wake of Capitola Mall shooting

County mental health and district counselors are available and working with students at Elizabeth’s school, Mintie White Elementary School according to Principal Vicki Hallof.

The counseling service has been established to support students left reeling after the 7-year old girl from their school was allegedly killed by her father in a murder-suicide.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office says the autopsy on the young Elizabeth should be done today and there may be more information tomorrow.

Those wanting to help support the family and raise funds for the funeral can visit the GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/elizabethtapia and more information is available on her school site: http://www.mintiewhite.pvusd.net/

Her aunt states on the GoFundMe page: “We need help raising money for our beloved daughter, granddaughter, niece and cousin Yaxtel G. Tapia. Money will be used for her funeral arrangements to put our beautiful angel to rest,” she said.

“We hope to raise the money in time to put her to rest and be able to say our last words. The loss of our beloved little girl was very sudden and unexpected. Our family doesn’t have the necessary funds at the moment and we would really appreciate the help.”

The father who allegedly murdered his young daughter at the Capitola Mall was identified Monday by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office as Carlos Garcia, 36, of Watsonville.

A suicide crisis line is available 24 hours a day. It’s multilingual and confidential.
The toll free number for Monterey, Santa Cruz, & San Benito Counties is 1-877-663-5433 / 1-877-ONE-LIFE