INDIANAPOLIS — An unimaginable tragedy has shaken this community and devastated a family.
"I love my mom. She was the best mom ever," said Krystal Walton's daughter, Emily.
"She was a great mom. She was a very intricate part of our Charity community for the past five years," said Juaneka Thomas Ennis, executive director of Charity Cares.
Family and friends of Krystal Walton gathered across the street from Charity Child Care on the near west side of Indianapolis, where Walton was shot and killed while dropping her kids off Friday. Her family is still trying to come to terms with their new reality.
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"This is harder than anything. Any strength that I thought that I had is gone," said Krystal's father, Christopher.
Loved ones showed up with balloons and wore pink and white to show their support for her and add a little light during a dark time.
"I'm not going to let y'all be sad. We are here to uplift the beautiful woman we are celebrating here today," Ennis said.
Walton worked at IU Methodist as an X-ray technician. Those who knew her said her presence was unforgettable.
"Krystal Walton was a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, co-worker and friend. She was a cousin. She was a niece. She was a best friend. She was Emily and Orlando's mom," Ennis said.
"She was a great friend. A great co-worker. An excellent teammate. Most importantly, she was a great mom who loved her kids," said one of Walton's co-workers.
As the sky turned pink and white for a moment, Walton's father said the best way to honor her legacy is to remember her story, and not only the way she lived, but also the way she died.
"Domestic violence is real. If you have anyone who is going through anything like this, you need to get them some help immediately," Christopher said.
"If you are in a situation and you need help, we ask you to get out. Get out and get help so we don't have to experience another moment like this," Ennis said.