Family, friends say goodbye to Kiana O’Neil

On the day of her funeral, more than 100 people gathered at Springs Ranch Park on the city’s northeast side Saturday to remember Kiana O’Neil, 14.

Police said O’Neil was mistakenly shot to death on the morning of Dec. 23 by her stepfather, Daniel Meade, 29, who thought she was a burglar. The shooting occurred in the family’s home on Ascendant Drive.

A candlelight vigil was held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the park. Attendees brought purple balloons in her memory. The crowd gathered for about 20 minutes with no speeches. No one spoke to the media at the request of Kiana’s family.

The audience later moved to Springs Ranch Elementary. The park is near Kiana’s home and Vista Ridge High School where she was a freshman.

Earlier on Saturday, Kiana was laid to rest in La Jara, south of her hometown of Alamosa.

The district attorney’s office will decide whether Meade should face criminal charges in the case.