However, this wasn’t’ just any deer. A spokesman for the cemetery says the deer lived in the cemetery and was often times a comfort to the grieving families.
The deer was named Ella and her story has recently received a lot of attention. Some in the community call her death a cold, calculated act. Meanwhile, the accused is insisting it isn’t so.
“I feel sorry for him for a lot of reasons,” says Bruce Mathews with the Elmwood Cemetery. “I wish he didn’t do it because it did affect a lot of people.”
The accused, 19-year-old Phoenix Vankirk, was identified and cited for shooting and killing a deer on the cemetery grounds in early August.
The story has since grown to international proportions since Ella was tame and was known to not only those who lived in the neighborhood, but to those who have ever visited the cemetery in the last few years.
“She touched so many people,” says Mathews. “Anyone who came here, she was a friend to and it was a unique relationship to say at the least.”
Ella was born in the cemetery Memorial Day weekend in 2011 and never left the grounds. She became a symbol of comfort for some during their darkest hours.
“If there was a funeral, she would come and stand in an open doorway,” says Mathews. “And when the family would walk to the grave site, she would walk right along.”
According to court documents, Vankirk said he saw the deer while grilling on his front porch. He hopped the fence and shot Ella with the intent of processing the meat and using it to feed his family.
Once he was inside the cemetery, however, he couldn’t get the deer out because the gates were locked.
Vankirk told authorities he had no idea the deer was tame and said he wanted to tell the community he was extremely sorry.
[This story made international news for a year. He lived across the street from the cemetery and yet says he didn't know about the deer? I'm calling bull----. My opinion is that he knew about the deer and killed her for the personal satisfaction of depriving people of their comfort and happiness at seeing the deer in the cemetery. That is the sign of a sadistic person with issues.]
Mathews says he doesn’t want the incident to ruin Vankirk’s life, but he’s not sold on the story he is telling.
“It’s highly probable he did know it was tame,” says Mathews. “I’m not questioning him but everyone in this neighborhood loved and looked after Ella… I don’t understand it.”
Vankirk did not respond to inquiries from CNN.
The teen is facing a fine of $375 or he can go to court and risk a fine of $1000 and a year in jail.
A memorial service for Ella will be held at the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City on Sept. 14 at 11 a.m.
(CNN - Sept 1 2013)
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