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Victim's Family Saw Warning Signs Before Fatal Fort Lewis Shooting

Posted: 5:16 pm PDT July 23, 2009Updated: 6:10 pm PDT July 23, 2009

Fort Lewis officials released the identities of two people involved in Wednesday’s shooting at the Fort Lewis Main Post Exchange while the victim’s family said they saw warning signs before the deadly confrontation.

Sharlona White, 33, was selling clothes and jewelry at her kiosk Wednesday when she was gunned down in what police said was a murder-suicide.

Sharlona White / Courtesy of The Kettner Family

The shooter, 59-year-old Lafayette C. Meminger of Lakewood, shot her at about 11:20 a.m. before turning the gun on himself, police said.

Both were taken to Madigan Army Medical Center where White died and Meminger died shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday.

White’s family said Meminger was an ex-boyfriend who had been stalking her.

"She was scared of him, she was afraid of him," said White’s mother, Rose Braggs.

Meminger retired from the Army in 1992 and has worked as a security guard at Western State Hospital, reported KIRO 7 reporter Richard Thompson.

White’s family, including her daughter, said Meminger could not let go when the relationship ended several months ago.

"These were his exact words. ‘If I can't have you, nobody can, and that's exactly what he did,” said White’s daughter Zeunna White.

Sharlona White owned a clothing shop in University Place called ZNZ Wear. Family members said she worked seven days a week.

"My mom was just nice and loving to everybody," Zeunna said.

The victim's family said they are upset that Meminger was able to get onto Fort Lewis with a loaded gun, but officials said 45,000 people come onto post everyday and unfortunately it is not possible to search every vehicle.

The FBI is continuing their investigation.

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