Mom mourns 18-year-old daughter after “accidental” shooting in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- New court documents reveal that 18-year-old Malaya Leary died in late May after a man told police he accidentally pulled the trigger and didn't mean to end her life.

Malaya's mother, April Leary, is now begging the community to remember Malaya for how she lived, not for how she died.

"[She's] an amazing human being like the type of person that would need it this world -- just a beautiful human being," April said.

April said Malaya had already made such a big impact on those around her.

"She was the type of person that would give her shirt off her back for anybody," she said.

Malaya had big dreams. Her mom said she wanted to open an animal shelter or become a veterinarian. She volunteered at an animal shelter too.

"This world is missing a really, really good person. She was gonna do things in life that she was going to help people," April said.

Now, April is asking the community to honor Malaya by trying to live a little more like her.

"Be compassionate. Kind, just love wholeheartedly -- but like she was one of the most understanding people. She didn't judge anybody," April said. "Just be a kind of person. Just love wholeheartedly."