Beloved storekeeper killed by stray bullet as men fought outside her store

TROUP COUNTY, Ga. — A community is mourning the loss of a beloved storekeeper.

Patricia Underwood was killed on Valentine's Day when a stray bullet came through a window of her store.

Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen was live in Troup County Tuesday, where he talked to some of the woman’s friends.

Underwood, who everyone called Miss Pat, was 78 years old, still running the tiny corner store that sits on Union Street in LaGrange.

Since her death, the store has been decorated with flowers, balloons and personal messages of love. Hazel Andrews -- whose son is being charged in connection to the shooting -- wrote one of them.

"She was real special. Special lady. Yes she was," Andrews said.

"She was a person concerned about family. She asked about your children. She asked about your grandchildren," city councilman and friend W.T. Edmonson said.

Edmondson remembers visiting the store as a kid and he has always been a regular customer.

"It's a tragic thing that happened. We all feel so bad about that," he said.

Last Friday night, police say, two men got into a fight outside the store.

One of them fired a gun. A stray bullet went through a window. Underwood was killed. A suspect was arrested.

"My son didn't mean to shoot Miss Pat. He didn't mean to shoot her," Andrews said.

Andrews said what has happened has torn her apart. She loves her son. She loved Underwood.

"I'm so sorry about what happened. It's the only thing I can say. I'm so sorry about everything," Andrews said.

Andreco Parham faces several charges, including murder.

Underwood will be laid to rest this Saturday.

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