A 20-year-old woman just days shy of her 21st birthday was murdered inside the Coral Ridge Mall in Iowa City on Friday night by one of the mall's security guards.
Andrea Farrington worked at the Iowa Children's Museum located inside the mall and reportedly described her work as "her dream job." Also employed by the mall was 22-year-old Alex Kozak, a married man with a love of firearms and a Facebook page featuring pages of pro-gun sentiments.
Despite being married, Alex apparently took a liking to Andrea. Her friends said he would hang around near the museum and stare at her as well as harass her in other ways such as by placing notes on her car window.
It's unclear if Andrea specifically spurned his advances or if he came to the conclusion that he had been rejected, but at around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Alex entered the mall with a 9mm Glock handgun and fired three shots into Andrea's back.
The young woman, described as kind, energetic and full of enthusiasm, died a short time later. Alex Kozak fled in his vehicle but was picked up by police roughly 50 miles from the scene.
He's been charged with first-degree murder and remains behind bars after bail was set at US$10 million. The state of Iowa does not have the death penalty, but should Kozak be convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. Friends and family are mourning Andrea Farrington, and the Iowa Children's Museum says it will dedicate an exhibit in honor of the slain young woman.
Andrea Farrington worked at the Iowa Children's Museum located inside the mall and reportedly described her work as "her dream job." Also employed by the mall was 22-year-old Alex Kozak, a married man with a love of firearms and a Facebook page featuring pages of pro-gun sentiments.
Despite being married, Alex apparently took a liking to Andrea. Her friends said he would hang around near the museum and stare at her as well as harass her in other ways such as by placing notes on her car window.
It's unclear if Andrea specifically spurned his advances or if he came to the conclusion that he had been rejected, but at around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Alex entered the mall with a 9mm Glock handgun and fired three shots into Andrea's back.
The young woman, described as kind, energetic and full of enthusiasm, died a short time later. Alex Kozak fled in his vehicle but was picked up by police roughly 50 miles from the scene.
He's been charged with first-degree murder and remains behind bars after bail was set at US$10 million. The state of Iowa does not have the death penalty, but should Kozak be convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. Friends and family are mourning Andrea Farrington, and the Iowa Children's Museum says it will dedicate an exhibit in honor of the slain young woman.
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