FORT MILL, S.C. -- Loved ones gathered Thursday night to remember the like of 19-year-old Karson Whitesell.
Whitesell was shot and killed Tuesday around 4:40 p.m. at The Peach Stand in Fort Mill. She was an employee of the store, which is located in the 1300 block of Highway 160.
A male suspect, 28-year-old Christopher Benjamin Mendez, was taken into custody by officers. There's no word yet on a motive for the shooting. He was charged with murder Wednesday afternoon.
Other employees and customers were in the store at the time of the shooting, but no one else was injured.
Ron Edwards, general manager at The Peach Stand, released the following statement:
"Karson was an extraordinary young woman who worked for us at the Peach Stand as a cashier since 2016. She was an emerging leader, always happy to help, and we counted on her to fill in occasionally for managers. Karson cared about her coworkers and our customers, and at 19, had already begun doing church mission work to help people she had never met but were in need. We are devastated by the loss of Karson, and have grief counselors available to meet with our staff. Our prayers are with her family and everyone affected by this tragedy."
A vigil will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. near the store to remember Whitesell.
Vigil organizers ask attendees to park in a neighboring lot and to bring a single flower they plan to gather and pass along to the family.
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