CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Students and family members paid tribute Friday to Jenna Hewitt, the 15-year-old who was killed in a double murder-suicide in south Charlotte last weekend.
Hewitt's classmates at Ardrey Kell High School worer black to celebrate her life. The rock in front of the school was painted in her memory earlier this week with a tribute that says, "Fly High."
Hewitt's family met with her friends and classmates Friday afternoon at Harrison United Methodist Church in Pineville. That was followed by her funeral and private burial service.
Tragically, her life was cut short when she was shot while sleeping over with her girlfriend, Kate Chaplin, on Sunday. Police said the gunman, 23-year-old John Bocek, also shot and killed 51-year-old Matthew Chaplin, Kate's father, before turning the gun on himself.
Kate Chaplin was able to escape and called 911.
"We ran to the closet. He then proceeded to shoot her [Jenna] and then shot himself," she told NBC Charlotte.
Kate Chaplin said Bocek became infatuated with her after they met on Instagram in January. She said he didn't take her refusal to date him well and that rejection led to the murder of her father and best friend.
Matthew Chaplin's funeral will be held Saturday in Weddington.