Hundreds turned out at Horn High School in Mesquite Monday evening for a candlelight vigil in memory of Shania Gray.
Police say they’ve arrested the killer of the 16 year-old found slain last Thursday. Students and family members dressed mostly in black and carried candles. Shania Gray’s friends like, Lennie Duras, said she loved life.
"She always had a smile, you would never see her mad or anything. She was a loving person. Even when she was mad you couldn’t tell. She always made everybody’s day even when her day wasn’t good for her."
Andree Howard chimed in behind Duras.
"She was never in black she was always in bright colors. I don’t think she would like all this. She was a spirited person. but like they said, pity is for the living not the dead."
Two years ago, 30 year old murder suspect Frank Davis hired Gray to baby sit. He allegedly raped her, and she was about to testify against him in the trial. A police arrest warrant says he tried to find out what she would say on the stand by posing as a love interest on Face Book. He picked her up from high school last week, drove her near the Trinity River in Irving, and shot her twice.
High school Head Custodian Helen Reddick says dealing with death is a new lesson for many of these young students. "What do I tell the kids? Trust God. Be strong. Live your life to the fullest because you never know what’s going to happen. Your days are limited, you’re not promised this day till the next."
Reddick said she fondly remembers Gray. "She called me Auntie Helen. I'd always tell her you can’t call me Helen. She was a very sweet girl. She would call me Auntie Helen and take off running and I acted like I would take off after her.
Pastor W.R. Willis, who led part of the vigil, urged resolution, saying "Let us blow out our candles together."
Willis said Gray’s funeral will be Saturday. Franklin Davis is in Dallas County Jail on $2 million bond. He faces a capital murder charge.
