‘My baby is gone’: Candlelight vigil re woman killed at Riverside Car Wash
RIVERSIDE, Mo. (KCTV) - It was an emotional night for dozens as they gathered at Riverside Car Wash to Katie Bjorklund, who was shot and killed while she was vacuuming her car there last Thursday night.
Authorities say she was the first victim of George Manning, who stole her car and then went on what is described as an hours-long ‘night of terror’ in Riverside and KCK. Authorities say Bjorklund was a stranger to Manning. He was shot by police hours later, just a half mile from the car wash.
“She loved her family,” said Toni Bjorkland, Katie’s mom. “She was just a fun type of person to be around. When you got around Katie, you laughed. Words can’t describe how we feel. It’s like no other.”
She says Katie, a veterinary worker, loved animals, her friends, and her family. She was the oldest of Bjorklund’s three children.
“I’m just still in shock,” said Bjorklund. “My baby is gone.”
Bjorkland traveled from Texas for the candlelit vigil Thursday night. She’s amazed at how many people showed up, highlighting the impact Katie had, but isn’t surprised.
“She just loved to be free, have a good time, and make people laugh,” said Bjorklund. “She loved to spend time with her dog. She would sit at home or go fishing with her coworkers. She spent time with her grandmother, not living too far from her, she would see her once or twice a week. Family was very important to her.”
As the crowd of friends, family, coworkers, and more came together, they shared laughs, tears, and memories of the 33-year-old. One coworker noted that ‘being with Katie felt like a gift. ’
A moment of silence was held as everyone held each other close. Katie’s pictures were hung, and people were able to write messages and condolences to her family. Bjorklund says she is going to miss everything about her daughter.
“The one thing I’m going to miss is hearing her saying I love you,” said Bjorklund. “Her ‘hey’ texts, our FaceTimes. She completed our family.”
Many were impacted by Manning’s crime spree last week. Loved ones of 12-year-old Giuliani Calderon, who was shot and killed by Manning, and his mom, Mercedes Ontiveros, who was shot and taken to the hospital, also attended.
“We decided to come, show our respects and our for the other family,” said Katie Marron, Ontiveros' best friend. “We wanted to let them know we are here for them as well.”
Marron says they are taking everything day by day and everyone is doing as best as they can be. She says Ontiveros is still in the hospital, but out of the ICU. She says they are all grateful for the outpouring of from the community.
“Thank you for all the shares, likes, posts, all these things,” said Marron. “Especially from day one. Trying to get her back home. Thank you.”
GoFundMe campaigns have been created for both Katie’s family and Ontiveros' family.
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