An effort to raise funds to replace the vandalized headstone of a Westside Middle School shooting victim has reached its goal.
The headstone marking the grave of Stephanie Johnson at Keller’s Chapel Cemetery was discovered knocked over and broken Oct. 20. Stephanie Johnson was 12 years old when she and four others were slain in 1998 by two classmates.
Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott worked with representatives of Bear State Bank to establish the fund the day after the headstone was discovered vandalized. Elliott said the fund reached its $3,000 goal on Oct. 28. The next step is to get the replacement headstone made and placed at the grave.
“The fact that donors responded so quickly and generously to meet this need says a great deal about the kind of caring community that we have here,” Elliott said.