Tex. hosts tell of Pakistani teen’s heart & devotion
A PAKISTANI exchange student who was one of 10 people killed in a mass shooting at a Texas high school was remembered at a service Sunday as a loving soul who was eager to learn about U.S. culture and share her own.
The family who hosted 17-year-old Sabika Sheikh while she attended Santa Fe High School said she was proud to represent her country and to share her customs.
Jason Cogburn, Sabika’s host father, said during the service at Mosque Sabireen in Stafford, Texas, that his family fasted with her during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
“We loved her and she loved us,” the dad said. “When we went to work, she went to work. When she went to Ramadan and started fasting, my family did that with her. Because we did things together.”
Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, is accused of fatally shooting Sabika and nine others at Santa Fe High School on Friday morning. Eight students and two teachers died in the carnage.
Pagourtzis used his dad’s shotgun and .38-caliber revolver to go on his killing spree, targeting students he didn’t like, law enforcement officials said. He surrendered after the bloody rampage.
ABC News reported Sunday that Pagourtzis had boned up on how to kill his classmates by studying previous mass shooters’ tactics.
The service for Sabika drew hundreds of mourners.
Cogburn — a father of six — told the crowd he considered Sabika his “fourth daughter.”
“She came here to represent Pakistan, and let me tell you, she represented it well,” he said.
Joleen Cogburn, the host mother, fought back tears as she recalled Sabika giving her a dark red head scarf for Mother’s Day.
Joleen, who wore the scarf around her head, also told the crowd how Sabika never forgot her homeland and decorated the wall of her room with a Pakistani flag.
“I always said, ‘Sabika, you have a warrior’s heart,’ ” Joleen said. “She wanted to be a businesswoman. She said she wanted to impact the world. And I think she’s done that.”
The Cogburns’ three daughters also wore head scarves during the service.
“She was wonderful and she will be missed,” said Desiree, 17, the eldest.
“She was beautiful and unique in her own way.”
Sabika’s body is expected to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday.