Colorado Springs Shooting Victims Were Recovering Addicts, Cyclist
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A gunman shot and killed three people in broad daylight on the streets of Colorado Springs this weekend before dying in a shootout with police.
One of the victims was a bicyclist who begged for his life, and the other two were killed outside an addiction recovery house. One of them was turning her life around, studying cosmetology, and the other had plans with friends that Saturday.
Here is a look at the victims:
CHRISTY GALELLA
Her relatives say the 33-year-old was a dynamic, caring person who was turning her life around after becoming addicted to painkillers. Galella's addiction started after she had gastric bypass surgery in 2012 and dropped from 430 pounds to 160 pounds after surgery, sister Megan Williams said.
Galella was studying cosmetology and working as a telemarketer during her recovery, her sister said.
Aunt Joyce Ann Bowman said Galella was a redhead with a "beautiful, lively on-fire spirit about her" who deeply cared for others, although her moods could change dramatically.
"If she was down about something, she was down, if she was up about something, she'd be really up. That was Christy, and we all grew to know her and love her for who she was," Bowman said.
The family says police told them that the gunman first shot another woman outside the house, leading Galella to open the front door to see what was going on, her uncle Chris Bowman said.
"As soon as she opened the door, he put a bullet in her face," Bowman said, pausing. "Killed her instantly."
JENNIFER VASQUEZ
A family friend of the other woman shot and killed at the addiction recovery house identified her as Jennifer Vasquez.
Omar Martinez told The Gazette of Colorado Springs that he had planned to spend Saturday with her.
"Jennifer will be remembered by a lot of people," he told the newspaper.
ANDREW ALAN MYERS
The shooter first killed Andrew Alan Myers, 35. Myers was shot as he rode his bicycle down a block not far from the gunman's home, and neighbor Teresa Willingham said he begged for his life.
"His last words were 'Please God, no,'" she said. After he was shot, Willingham said she saw Myers lying face down in the street, his mangled legs still intertwined in his bike.
"He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.
FUNDRAISERS FOR VICTIM FAMILIES: Christy Galella | Jennifer Vasquez
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