LANCASTER – Dozens showed up for the candlelight vigil held for Reyna Gutierrez, the young woman shot and killed inside the Smoke Shack in Lancaster. Those attending were close friends and family, remembering the life of the 23-year-old.
“I don’t even know what to say,” said Beth K., a close friend of Gutierrez. “Her soul will forever stay with us.”
The emotional vigil was held at 6 p.m. at the Eastside Marketplace on Avenue J and Division Street. Attendees held candles, and many shared memories of Gutierrez after a brief moment of silence. Pictures and numerous candles were set up outside of the Smoke Shack.
Rieanna E. of Lancaster explained, “She definitely wouldn’t want all of us to be crying. She would laugh and tell us to stop.”
Gutierrez was shot in the chest on Sunday, Jan. 27 inside the Smoke Shack, while cleaning in the back room. According to sheriff officials, Samy Mahmoud claims he was handling the store owner’s shotgun when it fell and discharged. Surveillance cameras did not capture the incident. Mahmoud was charged with Reyna’s murder on Jan. 30.
“There would be no way this was intentional,” expressed close friend Christina R. “She was a really great person and was always smiling.”
Donations are appreciated to help cover the cost of Reyna’s funeral.
“You don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” said Joanne. “Cherish life because you don’t know how much time you have left. All you have is right now.”
Related articles:
Man charged, bail raised in Smoke Shack shooting death
Suspect arrested in Smoke Shack shooting death
Woman shot to death in Lancaster
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VWFish says
Services info available yet?
SJGranai says
I’m so proud of my daughter, Cagranai, for all she has done to show love and respect to her friend. She continues to update the FB pages to keep everyone aware of services.
My heart goes out to the family.
This is not about race… this is third or fourth article on the AV Times about the incident. I commend the AV Times for their attention to this matter.
sanadia says
I’m in shock, but R.I.P. to Reyna G…This did not have to happen folks. No way. Why was this shotgun not locked up?
I believe the shooter murdered this lovely young lady or else he’d be free. It’ll be interesting to find out more about the real facts to this horrible tragedy.
Too many guns are not being taken care of to prevent this sort of tragedy.
Does anyone know if the gun was legal?
South side says
If this girl would of been white we would of had 1000 comments
anon says
this isnt the place for these comments….. go back in your hole
me says
really, there is hardly any white people out here..
Cagranai says
Thanks for being present at this for Reyna.
Small correction on this article is that Joanne isn’t Reyna’s mother, she’s Christina’s mother :)
The AV Times Staff says
Thanks for the catch, we corrected it.