The approximately 500 people who gathered outside Stow City Hall on Sunday evening were told to openly share their pain over the killing of Megan Keleman.
“This is not the time to be alone,” said Pastor Cole Tawney of Riverwood Chapel in Kent. “It is the time to come together.”
Tawney, the senior pastor of the church Keleman’s family attends, said he went to the Taco Bell on Graham Road on Thursday to comfort her family, where the 25-year-old woman was killed. Police said a man sitting in the car behind Keleman in the drive-thru line, Jason Scott Williams, 53, shot her before turning the gun on himself.
Tawney praised Stow security forces for their response and compassion.
“It’s horrifying to think about,” Tawney told security guards. “But you have been a source of comfort.”
The Victims’ Assistance Program distributed about 500 candles at the vigil for Keleman, who had recently graduated from Cleveland State University and had just started working at Shelter Care Inc. when her life was cut short.
Stow investigators said it appears Williams and Keleman both lived in Stow but had never met before their brief encounter at Taco Bell.
Deadly outbreak at Taco Bell sparks call to ‘do something nice’
Speakers at the vigil said the apparent murder-suicide was heartbreaking and difficult for the community to understand.
“It makes all of us sad because this could have happened to our daughter, our son, our mother, our father, our grandmother, our grandfather, our niece, our nephew,” said Stow Mayor John Pribonic. “We need to honor Megan’s life by feeling when others do something nice for us and when we do something nice for others. Pray especially, be kind to each other and take care of Megan’s family.”
Robin Beytty, who attends Riverwood Chapel, said she does not know the family personally but was moved to attend. She said this was the first memorial service she had ever attended.
“Every day we see people just driving by,” she said. “We don’t stop to think about our friends.”
Beytty said the community needs to build stronger connections with others.
“We have to change our mindset,” she said. “We have to change hearts.”
Some college friends of Keleman’s brother Matthew also came to support the family.
“It’s so tragic, so unexpected,” said Nathan Coski. “But so many people are here; that makes me happy.”
Several speakers highlighted sources the community can turn to in times of crisis, such as:
Services for Keleman will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Riverwood Chapel, 1407 Fairchild Ave. in Kent. Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Shelter Care, Inc., 32 South Ave., Tallmadge 44278, or through their website at sc72.org.
As the vigil participants disperse in Stow, some find a moment of hope
While a gusty breeze made it difficult to keep the candles burning during the memorial service, the weather held out until after the ceremony. Even after it was all over, people hung around to talk and hug one another. Some could be heard catching up with friends they hadn’t seen in a while.
As the crowds slowly returned to their cars, a few raindrops fell, but the sunlight was enough to make a brilliant rainbow clearly visible nearby.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at [email protected]
