A man has been arrested in the shooting death of a 19-year-old cashier at a popular farm market near the South Carolina-North Carolina state line, in what has been described a random attack.
York County officials say 19-year-old Karson Bailey Whitesell was found mortally wounded on Tuesday afternoon in The Peach Stand in Fort Mill. Fort Mill Police Maj. Bryan Zachary said Whitesell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Christopher Benjamin Mendez, of Lancaster, was arrested at the store and has since been charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
Random killing: Christopher Mendez, 28 (left) has been charged with murdering 19-year-old cashier Karson Whitesell in North Carolina
Whitesell was working the register at the popular store The Peach Stand on Sunday when police say Mendez marched in and opened fire
A judge on Wednesday ordered the 28-year-old Mendez held without bond, reported Fox46.
Police say other employees and customers were in the store on South Carolina Highway 160 when Mendez barged in at around 4.45pm and opened fire, killing the young cashier. No one else was injured.
Police have not released a motive in the shooting, but Zachary stressed that it was not the result of a domestic situation or a robbery.
The general manger of the iconic produce market and eatery said that Karson had worked there since 2016. The 19-year-old was described by her friends as bubbly, happy and kind to those around her.
‘She loved to make others laugh, and she just always seemed to be happy,’ friend Stevie Herd wrote in a Facebook tribute. ‘She was truly an amazing person who did not deserve to leave this world like this.’
Destini Jayla, who has been friends with Karson since high school, said she was also a talented artist who loved painting and would often share photos of her latest pieces to her group of friends.
‘She made an impact on everyone she’s crossed paths with, and we’re all going to miss her dearly,’ said Jayla.
Whitesell, who was a devout Christian, last summer went on a mission trip to Swaziland and South Africa. Photos posted on her Facebook page show the beaming teen embracing local children.
According to a GoFundMe campaign launched in her name, Karson and her team raised money to build a permanent shade structure for a community in southern Swaziland, where children could find refuge from the son and have a meal.
The organizers of the fundraiser are asking for donations to build 19 more ‘care points’ in Africa as a lasting legacy of the slain missionary – one for each year of her fat too short life.’ As of Thursday, just over $6,500 has been raised.
In 2014, when Karson was just 14 or 15 years old, she traveled to Haiti to serve in an orphanage there, as WSOC-TV first reported.
Karson’s parents, Jason and Debbie Whitesell, released a statement describing their daughter as a ‘beautiful light in this dark world’ who had a ‘heart of service’ and was loved by all who knew her.
Karson’s boyfriend, Tevin Izzard, took to Facebook to mourn his loss and express his love for the 19-year-old.
‘I wish I was there to protect you,’ he wrote.
The Peach Stand was closed on Wednesday, but several mourners stopped by the store to lay bouquets and stuffed animals outside in Karson’s honor.
The market also remained shuttered to the public on Thursday, but there will be a candlelight vigil there beginning at 7pm. The store plans to reopen for business on Friday, after allowing staff time to speak to grief counselors.