BEAUMONT, Texas — 39-year-old Ebonie Gilbert was brutally shot and killed Thursday night outside of her own home after confronting people who were attempting to break into her car.
Gilbert's family told 12News that she did not deserver to die that way, and her cousin says that she is devastated that Ebonie's life was taken in such a senseless act of violence.
Gilbert and her Cousin Jamie Shankle grew up very close. Shankle says Gilbert helped raise her nephew.
"She had lost her sister back in 2008. Pretty much she took a part in helping raising her nephew, so that was all the kids she needed really," said Shankle.
Shankle shared what made Gilbert such a kind, selfless person.
"She wasn't loud, or outspoken or whatever, but you knew her. When we was in a room together you knew it was her just by the way she graced herself, way she smiled, the way she talked to people, she was so kind it was just amazing to watch sometimes," said Shankle.
Gilbert was an active member of the New Day Deliverance Wholeness Churchin Beaumont.
"Just knowing her as a sweet wonderful person and working in ministry. Doing whatever she can do in the service of the Lord," said church bishop Eldridge Charlot.
Charlot says Gilbert didn't deserve what happened to her.
"You come into her property, and you break into her car. Then you shoot and kill her. Then leave her for dead, and that's really cruel," said Charlot.
Shankle says Gilbert worked hard as a plant supervisor to earn her lifestyle.
"The fact that they shot her for defending her property. That wasn't right," said Shankle.
Beaumont police have arrested 21-year-olds D'Corey Shillow and Javonte Turner in connection to Gilberts Murder, and are looking for 20-year-old Tydrick Davis as a person of interest.
"It was a senseless act they didn't have to do that. Like it was literally cold blooded, she didn't deserve that," said Shankle.