Candlelight Vigil Held In Memory of Shooting Victim

A young mother shot to death after dropping her youngest child off at day care was remembered Monday evening during a candlelight vigil in Johnstown's Central Park.

Family and friends spoke about their memories with Tasha Veney at the vigil. Veney, 29, was killed Thursday.

"She was a great friend. She was always happy, always had a smile on her face. She was the kind of person who could be friends with just about anyone," said Shannon Toth, a friend of Veney's.

Veney was shot by her ex-boyfriend Chaz Hardrick, who then turned the gun on himself. Veney's mother, Diane, said even though she is heartbroken about her daughter's death, she doesn't have any hard feelings toward Hardrick's family for the sake of her grandchildren.

"It is hard enough as it is. They are not just burying a mother; they're going to bury a grandmother and their mother at a young age. That's very devastating. I just hope people would be loving and kind," she said.

The Women's Help Center is working with the family to set up a trust fund to support Veney's children.

Previous Stories: April 18, 2011: Vigil Set For Mother Who Was Victim Of Murder-Suicide April 15, 2011: Murder-Suicide Victim Had Protection From Abuse Order Against Alleged Shooter