After a shooting, a standoff and two deaths, a group of people in Sioux Falls took some time Tuesday night to reflect and remember a friend who was taken from them.
A group of friends and co-workers gathered to share memories of Amanda Connors. Police say the 24-year-old was shot and killed yesterday in front of Cost Cutters on 41st Street.
"Her laugh and her sense of humor, and her sticking her nose in a book for hours on end and reading, she is very smart and beautiful. She was a beautiful girl," co-worker Melissa Cook said.
Just a few months ago, Connors was named manager of Cost Cutters, which was something Cook was very proud of as not only her co-worker but her former teacher.
"It was awesome; she completely deserved it. I had been asked how I would feel about her taking the position and I 100 percent backed her and thought it would be a great idea for her to take that position," Cook said.
Connors worked for Cost Cutters ever since she graduated from beauty school. That's where some say she made a lasting impact not only on her clients but even people that weren't, such as Tina Arend.
"I've been coming to this Cost Cutters at this location for five or six years and knew Amanda the minute she got out of beauty school. And watched this young lady grow and mature," Arend said.
Tuesday's vigil was also a time to remember how precious life really is.
"It's a horrible day, a horrible day. But God's got a plan and sometimes we don't understand it but we just keep, keeping on and love all of those that mean a lot to you," Arend said.
"I just pray for everyone to have peace in their heart and not to have any resentment or anger. Just to remember to forgive and to hold everyone that you love closely. And make sure you tell everyone that you love them because you never know what's going to happen," Cook said.
Police say 38-year-old Tyrone Leeon Smith shot Connors but they're not sure why she was targeted.
Comments