Vigil set for Rock Hill teen killed in ‘random’ shooting

A public candlelight vigil will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Peach Stand in honor of 19-year-old Rock Hill woman killed in what police say was a "random" attack.

Karson Whitesell was shot and killed Tuesday while working at the iconic Peach Stand in Fort Mill.

Christopher Benjamin Mendez was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, police said Wednesday.

Friends remembered Whitesell as “bubbly” and kind.

“She would do anything for you,” Whitesell’s friend, Stevie Herd, said in a Facebook message. “She loved to make others laugh, and she just always seemed to be happy. She was truly an amazing person who did not deserve to leave this world like this.”

Vigil organizers ask visitors to bring a single flower and candles with protected flames or with a plastic cup to hold the candle.

The flowers will be collected and presented to Karson’s mother, organizers say.

Organizers ask vigil attendees to park in the Bi-Lo parking lot in Peach Tree Plaza and walk to the Peach Stand.

Friends also have organized a gofundme account in honor of Karson to continue her volunteer work in Africa. Karson spent two months last year in Swaziland and South Africa raising money for permanent shade structures.

The gofundme account hopes to raise $38,000 to provide 19 shelters, “one for each year of her far too short life,” the post says.

The account has raised $3,925 as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

For more information on the vigil, call 803-431-4117.

This story was originally published January 25, 2018 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Vigil set for Rock Hill teen killed in ‘random’ shooting."