Search For Killer Who Gunned Down Woman In Uptown Continues
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The search intensifies for a killer who gunned own a dentist in the Uptown area of Dallas. The person who killed Doctor Kendra Hatcher is still on the run.
Security has been stepped up around the Gables Park 17 apartments where Hatcher, 35, was shot and killed after getting out of her vehicle in the parking garage.
Police are pleading for witnesses to come forward. Firsthand accounts of what happened are important. One of the first witnesses to come forward was a man inside the apartment parking garage. The man, who doesn't want to be identified, said he heard Dr. Hatcher scream, heard gunfire, and then saw a white man hurry from the garage and get into a beat up black Jeep Cherokee. The witness said the man was wearing a black hoodie and had it pulled forward to cover his face.
Friday residents of the upscale downtown Dallas apartments still came and went. But, remnants of a vigil for Hatcher constantly remind them that something horrible happened there.
Family and friends described Hatcher as being young, beautiful, talented, and smart. And although many of the tenants at apartment complex didn't know her, they've become vested in helping to catch her killer.
Resident Molly Phillips said, "Yesterday, I started sharing the photos of the Jeep, just with the hope somebody might have seen something."
Police are calling the driver of the Jeep a 'person of interest,' but the witness who saw the man in the parking garage believes the suspect is much more. "I didn't see it [shooting] but it looks like the minute she stepped out of her car he was right there in her face. I mean, its pretty obvious... he was here for her."
Kendra Hatcher's family issued the following statement Friday:
"Kendra is from Central Illinois. She attended college in Indiana, dental school in Kentucky, and settled in Texas.
She was an intelligent, hardworking, fun-loving daughter, sister, and aunt. Kendra was salutatorian of her high school senior class and graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana on a service scholarship. While attending DePauw, Kendra studied Spanish so she could extend her love and outreach to many, including spending a semester serving in Spain.
Kendra always wanted to serve in the medical field and settled on dentistry at the University of Kentucky. She especially loved working with children. She regularly sent stories home about her pediatric patients. Kendra helped many kids. She and her entire family are very proud of her work.
We want people to know that Kendra was not only beautiful on the outside, beauty also flowed from Kendra's heart She helped so many: friends, family, and others. Kendra loved to exercise, travel, and spend time family, especially nieces and nephews.
Kendra had so much to give, and we are so thankful her 35 years were lived to the fullest. We will miss Kendra tremendously, especially her laugh and smiles. But we cannot fully mourn and celebrate her life until the authorities apprehend the person(s) responsible for committing this senseless act.
We ask that everyone share the pictures of the suspect vehicle and get the word out. And we urge ANYONE who has any information to please come forward immediately. This is how we can honor her best right now.
If you would like to help with this cause for justice, friends of the family have set up a Go Fund Me account.
Thank you for the outpouring of support and love. It is deeply felt by Kendra's family and is carrying them through this difficult time."
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