Teachers of mall shooting victim: “A great student”
The woman killed in a Maryland mall shooting over the weekend, Brianna Benlolo, was a hard worker, great student, and a talented drummer, according to teachers at Sand Creek High School.
21-year-old Benlolo lived in Maryland, but graduated from Sand Creek High School in 2010.
“She was very creative, great in band, had fun in theater,” said Brianna’s theater teacher Amy Bremner.
“She was just a good kid,” said Brianna’s Psychology teacher Jennifer Scarselli.
Brianna, a mom to a two-year-old boy, was working at a mall in Maryland on Saturday (1/25/14) when police say a gunman, 19-year-old Darion Aguilar, decided to take Benlolo’s life as well as her co-worker’s, 25-year-old Tyler Johnson. Aguilar then shot himself.
“It’s just sad. Sometimes you don’t know what happens to kids afterwards and you know a young mom and senseless tragedy that a little kid is left without his mom,” said Scarselli.
The band room was home for Brianna. She was in the marching band drum line.
“It was a real pleasure to have her in the band. She connected right away with the other students and was a real contributor in our band program,” said Sand Creek Instrumental Music Director Ray Bell.
What teachers hope those who knew Benlolo will remember is that she was a really sweet, young lady, said Bremner.
“She was a great student, a great kid and connected with people that she was involved with,” said Bell.
Her life ended too soon, but she was a young woman who won’t be forgotten.
Brianna’s high school friends are planning a memorial for her on Thursday (1/30/14). KRDO Newschannel 13 will post the time and place as soon as it’s been set.
