Murdered girl at Target, what would you do?

Question

It is very sad to read and see in the news that the pretty 18 year old girl who was shopping at a Target in Kansas, got killed. Apparently she had shopped for a present for her boyfriend, and as she was loading up her trunk, a man ran up to her, shoved her in the car, and drove off. Hours later her body was found across the state line in a park. How do you feel about this? Could this have been prevented? Will you go to a store parking lot alone now?

Answer 1

It is SO sad to see this. It made me so angry when I saw it on the news this morning. I cant imagine how her family must feel. Of course it makes you realize that this could happen to anyone. I dont know how many times I have been somewhere alone like that. It will definitley remind me to be more aware of my surroundings, but being in that situation once in a while is completely unaviodable. It is hard to imagine that no one was there to help or even saw what happened. My sympathy is with her family and friends. And I hope the man who did that gets what he deserves.

Answer 2

Well this is very unfortunate and I cant understand how anyone could do this.

I live alone so I have to travel and do everything alone unless i bother someone else to go with me.

It is always good to be aware of your surroundings in a store parking lot. Not that this girl could have prevented what happened to her but its just a good idea.

If you have a car remote you and you can get to the button that makes the horn go off that might help and screaming as well but im sure this poor girl didnt have a chance to do anything.

Answer 3

I feel very sorry for the family of this girl. However, she had an unblocked myspace page and this could have contributed to her death...there are a lot of sickos out there! People post too much personal information on there and they have no idea who or what is looking at it. Don't misread this post, I'm not saying this is the reason she was murdered; but it could have been how this guy found her.

I shop alone often and will continue to do so; i'm not going to hide from the world.

Answer 4

It is without a doubt a very tragic and sad story. I hope her family can find healing at some point.

Tough to say if it could have been prevented. You definitely don't want to put yourself in harm's way, but most people don't consider a store parking lot to be harmful. Clearly, we have to be aware of our surroundings these days and be prepared for the worst (ie carry mace and know personal protection tactics). However, we also must not live in fear or expect the worst because that is no way to live your life.

Answer 5

I did not hear about this, but when I read it here, I wanted to cry. That is so very sad.

To your questions; "prevented", who knows, I'm sure that is a question her family is asking right now. As to will us women go to a store parking lot alone now, I don't see how most of us can avoid being alone in a parking lot from time to time. You can't live in fear, you can be cautious and aware of your surroundings, but you can't avoid being alone all the time.

My heart goes out to her family.

Answer 6

Its all over the news where I live, but thats b/c i live in missouri like and hour and a half away from where it happened!! It is very unfortunate.....i pray for her family during this difficult time...I just hope that more people become aware of their surroundings...I mean it was daylight in a busy parking lot it is hard to believe that absolutly no one saw anything suspicious....I will continue to go to stores alone....I will just be way more aware of everything....I just feel like you have to pay attention to everything....I think also the public should not feel afraid to report anything suspicious! Most people these days are afraid to report stuff and then when they realize that it was something bad its too late!! My advice....Just open your eyes and be aware of everything!!!!

Answer 7

This is very tragic and sad for her family . these sickos are every where and I dont think living in fear is the answer . I think we need to start taking care of ourselves . Me personally i carry a gun in my car (I live in florida it is legal here ) and if anybody gets too close to me I quickly get in my car and open my glove box and if they even try anything I m ready . I think more ppl need to start protecting them selves and not waiting for the cops to do it . I also have my moms 125 lb rottie in the car with me when I am going somewhere i dont or arent familiar with . that usually deters ppl anyway much less the gun .

Answer 8

i don't shop at night, i know she was taken at 7 which is not exactly night but i would rather shop in a group atleast one other person. also i do not park next to vans way too far away and i am from new york and you are taught really early to keep looking behind you and sideways. i feel so sorry for her family this is a sickening world at times~

Answer 9

I would say not to travel alone and park closer to the store. Sadly you cannot prevent sickos if they are determined.

Answer 10

HONESTLY, I DON'T THING THERE IS ANY WAY TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING. I THINK THAT IF SOMEONE IS SICK ENOUGHT TO TRY IT, THEY WILL SUCCEED. IN A WAY, I FEEL THAT KELSEY COULD HAVE SCREAMED OR SOMEWHAT DRAWED A LITTLE ATTENTION TO HER, BUT THEN AGAIN, IF HE WAS THREATINING HER, THEN SHE MAY HAVE BEEN TO SCARED TO SAY ANYTHING. I HOPE THAT THIS CASE SHOWS PEOPLE NEVER TO TRUST ANYTHING AND IF THEY SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, TO CONTACT POLICE OR EVEN GO HELP!!!