The Associated Press
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Sioux Falls police say a 24-year-old salon manager was killed trying to protect an employee and her two children from an armed boyfriend who was upset about a domestic violence arrest and protection order.
Police Chief Doug Barthel says Amanda Connors was leaving the salon Tuesday afternoon when she saw 38-year-old Tyrone Leeon Smith in the parking lot. She phoned the store from her car to warn her employees, including Smith's girlfriend.
Barthel says Connors pulled her car up to the door as Smith stormed over. The two exchanged words then Smith shot Connors in the head.
Smith briefly tied up the employees then allowed them all to leave.
Police Capt. Greg Vande Kamp says armed officers stormed the salon and found Smith dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Friends held a vigil outside the salon Tuesday night to remember Amanda. "Her laugh and her sense of humor, and her sticking her nose in a book for hours on end and reading, she is very smart and beautiful. Beautiful girl," co-worker Melissa Cook remembered.
"A horrible day, a horrible day," mourned customer Tina Arend, "but God's got a plan and sometimes we don't understand it but we just keep, keeping on and love all of those that mean a lot to you."
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