Nov 13, 2008 5:55 pm US/Eastern
Friends Remember Murdered Dillard High Student
Classmates Planned To Wear White To Remember Their "Fallen Angel"
I-Team data shows school violence rising
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
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Students at Dillard High hold a prayer vigil Thursday morning for classmate Amanda Collette who was shot to death in a school hallway the day before.
CBS
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Teah Wimberly, suspect, in Broward court on Nov. 13th
CBS
In a circle holding hands and holding onto each other, about two dozen Dillard High School students prayed for and remembered their classmate Amanda Collette.
Some students wore black, others brought flowers and teddy bears, as they held hands around a concrete circle next to three flag poles outside the school.
"She was a true living angel," said classmate Krista Dranetz, "That's why we all have teddies that are like angels."
Many described Amanda as an angel. They can't believe that she was gunned down in the hallways of their own school on Wednesday.
"She really was loved, by many and had lots of friends," said Sonsearay Miller who brought flowers, "so we're here to support her, we miss her!"
Grief counselors were on hand at Dillard High as the students held their early morning memorial before classes began for the day.
Also on Thursday, Teah Wimberly, 15, appeared in court charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Amanda outside a computer lab on Wednesday.
In a Broward County courtroom, Amanda's mother Joyce hugged those who came and sat by her side for support. Throughout the hearing Wimberly said with her hands over her face, blocking many stern glances cast her way. Joyce Collette and her family said nothing as they left the courtroom after the hearing, but acknowledged the support, love and sympathy expressed by Amanda's many friends.
"She had no flaws, she was perfect. She was the 'bestest' friend anyone could ever ask for,' said Yourisha Wims.
Wims took dance class with Collette. It's a passion they both shared since they were kids. She stopped by Collette's house, dropping off mementos and leaving notes. Yourisha wrote what many feel, "She always knew the right thing to say and she always knew exactly what to do."
"This is a very sad thing for me to have to remember for the rest of my life," said Wims. "I thought we were going to be best friends forever, as a matter of fact we still are, even though she's gone. I love her and I really miss her and I wish she was here."
"The solution first starts at the home," said Amanda's cousin, Yvette Taylor. "We, as parents, need to teach our kids that if things don't go our way there are ways to handle it."
According to Wimberly's friends, she reportedly wanted to start a relationship with Collette, but Collette had resisted those advances. At some point Wednesday morning Wimberly reportedly texted Collette to meet her by a set of vending machines by the computer lab. When she got there, Collette reportedly refused to talk to Wimberly about her advances and began to walk away. That is when Wimberly allegedly pulled a small caibler handgun and shot Collette in the back. She then ran off campus.
Police say they found Wimberly at a nearby Captain Crabs restaurant after she called them and told the 911 dispatcher that she had shot her friend. She was taken into custody and charged with first degree murder.
Her next hearing will be December 2nd.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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