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Community launches nonprofit to honor teen fatally shot at The Peach Stand

Its mission is to spread peace and love to those in the shadows.

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- More than a hundred people gathered at a Rock Hill church Sunday afternoon to celebrate the life of Karson Whitesell.

The 19-year-old was fatally shot less than a month ago at The Peach Stand in Fort Mill.

Sunday would have been Whitesell's 20th birthday. As a way to remember her legacy, the community launched a new nonprofit in Whitesell's name.

Karson's mother Debbie is calling it "Karson's Kompassion Project." Its mission is to spread peace and love to those in the shadows.

Friends, family and church members are putting together different projects to help the community.

Debbie said Karson was a beautiful, gentle, soul who loved serving other people. The project is just one of many ways to keep her legacy alive.

"Karson had a very keen sense of those people," Debbie said. "I call them on the fringe, you know, people who needed a little extra attention. She had a keen sense of those people and could sense what they needed and took care of it quietly."

Sunday afternoon ended with a balloon release. Everyone came outside, said a prayer and let go of their balloons.

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