COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – The family of the woman who was shot and killed Thursday at the Bojangles on Harbison Boulevard is speaking out for the first time.

The Columbia Police Department (CPD) said Bojangles employee Antoinette Hammonds-Colón, 40, died in hospital from injuries sustained during the shooting.

Colón’s sister, TraciMarie Colón-Jones and Denise Colón, said their sister had only worked at the Bojangles on Harbison Boulevard for a few months.

They said their sister has a heart of gold and their family is devastated that she is gone as the search continues to find the suspect charged in the case.

“An energetic, clumsy kid who grew up to be literally scared of everything,” the sisters said.

That was the kind of person Antoinette Hammonds-Colón was growing up in Ohio with her two sisters and brother. TraciMarie said Antoinette’s love for helping others will live on forever.

“He just had a heart of gold,” TraciMarie said. “He would help anyone even when he had nothing. He was still making food for people and inviting anyone into the kitchen.”

Hammonds-Colón has nine children and one grandson with her husband of ten years, William Hammonds.

She came to South Carolina in 2013 with the rest of their family after TraciMarie first moved in 2011.

TraciMarie said her sister has always been a family person, prioritizing time with her parents and siblings.

“She was about family time; whenever she could be foolish and behave foolishly, she did so; If it could put a smile on your face, that would do,” TraciMarie said. “She was tough on her kids, she was tough on her sisters, she adored her brother.”

No arrests have been made in the shooting, but CPD is actively searching for suspect Ja’Quivian Kennerly, 23, who has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Deputy Chief Melron Kelly said gun violence like this has taken the lives of too many innocent people.

“Miss Colon was totally innocent,” Kelly said. “She was 40 years old, employed at Bojangles, doing her job; Totally senseless act of violence. Any act of violence is one too many and we just have to say enough is enough, especially with gun violence.”

Kelly said anyone who helps Kennerly could face charges.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department. CPD also encourages anyone with additional information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

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