THE VICTIMS OF THE MICHIGAN SHOOTING RAMPAGE
JENNIFER MARIE HEEREN, 29
Heeren, an ex-girlfriend of gunman Rodrick Dantzler, was killed along with their 12-year-old daughter and her own parents. Heeren was described by the produce company her father co-owned as 'an intelligent young woman who was extremely motivated and very focused on caring for her young daughter'.
KAMRIE DEANN HEEREN-DANTZLER, 12
Kamrie, daughter of Dantzler and Heeren, was a straight-A student at Northview Middle School who loved to read and go camping with her grandparents, who also died in the rampage.
A neighbour described the girl as sweet. Kamrie rode her bike a lot and played with her father's pit bulls, Windemuller said
'She was kind of quiet, but she seemed happy,' Windemuller said. She and her dad 'were always playing outside'.
REBECCA LYNN HEEREN, 52
The Heeren matriarch was described as 'outspoken, funny and kept her family going'. The produce company that her husband co-owned issued a statement that said she 'loved people and adored all children', including her own and those of her siblings. Her husband, Thomas, jokingly referred to her as 'the general'.
THOMAS HEEREN, 51
Heeren was a proud, hard-working third-generation co-owner of the family business, Heeren Brothers Produce. The company said in a statement that he was dedicated to the company and to his family.
He spent his entire career at the Grand Rapids wholesaler of fruits and vegetables in sales and marketing. A favorite customer recently described him as 'rough around the edges' but possessing 'the warmest heart of anyone'.
'We remember him as a man with the kindest of hearts who would give you the shirt off his back,' a company release said.
KIMBERLEE ANN EMKENS, 23
Emkens, another former girlfriend of the gunman, lived with a sister named Amanda and a 10-year-old niece named Marissa, both of whom were also killed.
'Aunt Kimmie was sure to chaperone all the field trips she could,' said Robin Sorge, principal of North Park Elementary School, where Marissa attended classes.
AMANDA RENEE EMKENS, 27
Emkens, Kimberlee Emkens' older sister, was described by a friend as the 'nicest, sweetest person you could imagine, full of life and love'. Jennilee Orear told The Grand Rapids Press that she was a great mother to daughter Marissa, who also died in the shootings.
Amanda Emkens had worked at AAA Michigan's call centre in Grand Rapids since May. Her Facebook page said she studied occupational therapy at Grand Rapids Community College and was a graduate of the city's Creston High School.
MARISSA LYNN EMKENS, 10
The daughter of Amanda Renee Emkens, Marissa had just completed fourth grade at North Park Elementary School and volunteered in the school's front office. Principal Robin Sorge said she shared a first name with the school secretary, and they forged a bond over that.
Sorge said Marissa was offered a job in the office 'as a way to get her to like school a little more'. She took to it eagerly, greeting visitors, getting little kids bandages and giving hugs.
'She asked her mom to pick her up late every day so she could work in the office,' Sorge said.
As the year progressed, so did Marissa, who Sorge described as being "as much of a girlie-girl as you could get."
'We will be missing a piece when school starts again in the fall,' Sorge said.
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