Earlier this evening, hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil to honor a 19-year-old woman who was shot and killed in South Carolina.
Karson Whitesell’s life tragically came to an end on Tuesday evening, after she was the victim of a random shooting at the Peach Stand where she worked.
The shooting came as a shock to local residents, especially because Fort Mill is a tight knit community that has a very low crime rate.
Whitesell was working the cash register when she was gunned down by a 28-year-old man identified as Christopher Mendez.
After the shooting, Mendez was taken into custody without incident.
In the days leading up to the vigil, a memorial to honor Whitesell grew outside the store. The store has remained closed since the shooting, but will reopen tomorrow.
Photo: QCWriter
Photo: QCWriter
When we visited the Peach Stand earlier today, two women left flowers outside the store. The two strangers hugged each other and said through tears, “She’s in a better place now.”
Whitesell, a resident of Rock Hill, had an impact on everyone she came in contact with. She was just one of those people who brightened the day — Just by being in her presence.
According to WSOC, a visitation for Whitesell will be held at Illumine Church in Rock Hill on Friday evening between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Her funeral will be held the following day at 11 a.m.
QCWriter is a journalist who is fueled by espresso and motivated by determination. She specializes in pop culture, country music, and news content. You can follow her on Twitter by clicking here: @QCWriter.IMG_9134