Friends, family mourn after shooting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The drizzle and cool temps couldn't keep the Spring Mill Elementary School community from celebrating a woman who warmed their hearts: Alicia Koehl.

“Anybody Alicia saw, she touched their lives and she made them better,” said Spring Mill Principal Subha Balagopal.

Koehl was one of five people shot Wednesday at the Villa Paree Apartments on Allisonville Road. She and the gunman died.

A friend of Koehl organized Friday’s vigil. Pauli Bradshaw said they wanted to show support for the Koehl family as they try to heal.

She leaves behind her husband, Paul, and children, Thomas and Victoria.

Her youngest, Thomas, told the audience he may never understand why his mother’s life ended so tragically.

“I don’t plan on it making sense any time soon,” the fourth-grader said. “I was just wondering why someone would do that to my mom.”

Thomas described his mother as a woman who always put her family first. Others talked about her infectious smile and passion for helping whenever and wherever she could.

Friends and Balagopal echoed those sentiments.

“She had a strong moral and ethical compass. She would not put up with nonsense,” said Balagopal.

Koehl’s father-in-law, Frank, said she always greeted those she loved with a hug. He encouraged others to live the way she lived.

“She lived, laughed and loved, and that was her philosophy,” he said. “What a beautiful woman. No better one than anyone could ask for than to have as a daughter-in-law. “

Alicia Koehl left something for so many to remember. As candles burned in her memory the dark clouds cleared, and the sun smiled. A reminder Alicia Koehl was here.