Colorado shooting victim has local impact

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Jessica Ghawi's aunt, Katy Ibrahim, describes her niece as fun, motivated, and mature. Ibrahim, of West Lafayette, got the call from her brother Friday that Ghawi had died in the mass shooting inside a Colorado movie theater.

"I think we've realized life is very fragile," Ibrahim said.

Ghawi had moved to Colorado about a year ago from Texas to pursue her dream to become a sports journalist. At the time of her death, Ghawi was trying to help the young victims of the Colorado wildfires. She hoped to start a program to give the victims new sports equipment.

"She thought sports would bring them happiness," Ibrahim said.

Ghawi was getting back to normal life after she was in a Toronto mall moments before a shooting about a month ago.

Ibrahim will head to San Antonio, Ghawi's hometown, on Friday to attend a memorial service. She said being with family will help the pain, but it will be a while before she can say goodbye.

"I think it will be a long time before we have closure," Ibrahim said.