Sole survivor of Spring shooting makes appearance at memorial

SPRING, TX (KTRK) -- Cassidy Stay, the 15-year-old lone survivor of a cold-blooded attack on a family in Spring, made an appearance at the memorial to remember her family.

Cassidy is one of the seven family members shot execution-style inside their Spring home Wednesday evening. Both her parents and all her siblings, ages 4 to 13, died in the attack. Authorities say the accused gunman, 33-year-old Ron Haskell, showed up to Stays' home searching for his ex-wife, Cassidy's aunt.

Stay was released from the hospital Friday, according to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. She is in good condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

The nightmare has captivated an entire nation. How could anyone survive a mass shooting and live to say a word. For the first time today, Cassidy broke her silence. She spoke to hundreds of supportive neighbors and friends in her hometown of Spring.

Her grandfather said Cassidy told them angels were there inside that home, as one by one her parents and siblings were executed. Those angels, she said, gave her one message -- stay quiet.

When accused killer Ron Lee Heskell left the home, Cassidy called police, preventing even more bloodshed.

"I know that my mom, Dad, Bryan, Emily, Becca and Zach are in a much better place and I'll be able to see them again one day," said Cassidy Stay.

She hopes her angels get these messages.

"Our community is amazing, absolutely amazing," said a neighbor.

Written and tied to balloons by hundreds of people released to the heavens. The 15-year-old found comfort and hope in a quote from Harry Potter.

"In the prisoner of Azkaban, Dumbledore says, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times. If one only remembers to turn on the lights."

That light now shining brightly and guiding the path of the young girl who has lost so much in her darkest hour.

Several people at the celebration were overcome with emotion by seeing Cassidy Stay.

An official memorial page for the family has been set up on Facebook, and those who want to donate to the family can do so on GoFundMe.com.