Florida teen full of 'happiness and light' dead after girlfriend shot him in face while 'playing with gun'

A girlfriend who was playing with a gun pointed it at her 16-year-old boyfriend before pulling the trigger and killing him .

Teenager David Anthony Vargas Acker was fatally shot while he, the girl, and a friend were playing with the weapon, the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida said. The victim had reportedly brought the gun to the home on the 1100 block of Easton Street in East Orange County.

Deputies said the teens were pointing the gun at each other and posed with it. But after the girlfriend pointed the gun at David, she pulled the trigger, killing him, authorities claim. The girl was arrested on Wednesday. She was charged as a juvenile and is now facing a count of aggravated manslaughter of a child.

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Following David's killing, his family created a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral, and to cover legal fees amid the ongoing investigation. They wrote: "He was only 16 and had so much more life ahead of him. He was always so full of joy.

"David brought laughter, happiness and light into every room he entered. He had so much love to go around. This tragedy has left a huge void not only in our lives, but everyone who had the privilege to experience David."

Recalling the night her son was shot dead, his mother Veronica Acker said a deputy arrived at the door to deliver the shocking news. She explained: "All we know is around one something, a deputy came to our door and asked if I was Veronica Acker. I told her yes, and she told me you've got to come with me now; your son has been shot."

The day after the shooting, David's mom told Fox 35 Orlando : "Just feels like a nightmare, and we want to wake up from it." His father David Vargas said: "I haven't eaten in three days. Can't stop crying. I wake up crying, go to sleep crying. They practically had to drag me to my bed yesterday."

David was the fourth of the couple's six children and was described by his mom as "the glue that kept this family together." The family said David was planning to graduate early from high school and work as a contractor alongside his father.

Mr Vargas said: "He was so good with his hands. He was a quick learner. He picked up on things so fast." The heartbroken family wants those responsible for David's death to face the force of the law. They're now asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office or call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).