A Pennsylvania teen has died just days before her high school graduation after she fell victim to being in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ and was fatally shot in the head.
Morgan Dunston, 18, was pronounced dead in the early hours of Friday morning after she was struck by a bullet as she danced in a parking lot just hours after leaving her senior prom at McKeesport Area High School.
‘Someone came up from behind and started shooting and my baby got shot,’ Dunston’s mother, Angie Krimm told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Two of Dunston’s friends rushed her to a hospital after the drive-by shooting but the 18-year-old died shortly after arriving.
Morgan Dunston, 18, was pronounced dead in the early hours of Friday morning after she was struck by a bullet as she danced in a parking lot
Dunston had left her prom just hours before her death. Her twin sister Jordyn (shown right) says she doesn’t know how she will cope after Morgan’s death
Dunston’s twin sister, Jordyn, who also went to the prom on Thursday evening, now says she’s struggling to comprehend the loss of her sister, as she prepares to attend Slippery Rock Uni in just a few months’ time.
‘She feels like, “If I go on and live my life, I am leaving my sister behind.”’ Krimm admitted on her grief-stricken daughter’s behalf. ‘And I said, “Jordyn, you have to do it for her. Because that’s what she would want you to do.”’
Prior to her sudden death, Dunston was set to study cosmetology at a specialist school in the summer.
Friends and family say they will remember her as a happy and caring teenager who was always on hand to offer help to another in need.
Her mother will now accept Duston’s high school diploma on her behalf on Thursday, just twenty-four hours before her funeral.
Dunston’s twin sister, Jordyn, who also went to the prom on Thursday evening, now says she’s struggling to deal with the loss of her sister, as she prepares to attend Slippery Rock Uni in just a few months’ time
Dunston was shot down outside Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Church. Several windows were shattered by an array of shots administered by an unknown gunman
On Saturday, family and relatives plan to host a graduation party for the twins and a celebration of life for Dunston.
‘She wasn’t in a gang,’ Krimm told the newspaper. ‘She wasn’t with the wrong crowd. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, trying to enjoy life.’
Someone came up from behind and started shooting and my baby got shot,’ Dunston’s mother, Angie Krimm told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
‘It’s a dream, it’s a dream that I’m still not awake from.’ Krimm further elaborated to WPXI. ‘I don’t know how you’re supposed to bury your kid.’
Dunston was shot down outside Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Church. Several windows were shattered by a hail of gunfire administered by an unknown gunman.
The church’s pastor, Jeff Eddings, says he doesn’t believe the holy building was the target of the assailants.
‘My heart is really just concerned with the victim and what happened with whoever was here,’ Eddings said.
Police say they’re currently investigating a number of leads but no arrests have yet been made. Dunston’s death is being investigated as a homicide.
Her mother will now accept Duston’s high school diploma on her behalf on Thursday, just twenty-four hours before her funeral
An online fundraiser set up to help cover the costs of Dunston’s funeral has reached nearly $14,000 as of Tuesday evening.
‘Our beautiful Morgan Dunston was taken from us early morning today while leaving a dance, by a senseless drive by shooting, leaving a family devastated,’ Beth LaRotonda said on the page, on behalf of the family.
‘Her mother, brother and sisters (one of which is her twin) are beyond grief stricken. I would like to raise funds to help defray funeral costs and also help the family until her mom is able to cope with life again and return to work.
‘Morgan was set to graduate from Mckeesport High School next week and had a bright future ahead of her.’