CHARLOTTE — Family and friends gathered Wednesday night to remember Ina Lang, a mother of five who was shot and killed during her work break on Feb. 6.
Sam’on Andrew Smith, 22, was arrested after allegedly shooting her twice in the back at a Bank of America on Callabridge Court in northwest Charlotte.
Ina Lang was a long-time employee of the bank branch where the shooting occurred.
Court documents state Smith pulled up in a vehicle and walked toward Lang before firing the shots as she was walking away. Investigators have found no indication that the suspect and victim knew each other.
Lang was 50 years old and a mother of five.
She was originally from Florida and had family members living both locally and in Florida.
Her family members stated they wish to focus on her life and memory rather than the circumstances of her death.
“I wish my wife was still alive. I wish she was still here,” said Mike Lang, the victim’s husband.
Their story began more than 30 years ago.
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“Believe it or not, she was my first girlfriend,” he said. “She was the first girl I ever kissed. First girl I ever hugged. First girl I ever held hands with.”
He was joined by two of his daughters.
“I loved my mom, and she will be greatly miss she was such and wonderful and beautiful soul,” said Victoria Gonzalez, Ina Lang’s daughter.
She was a fixture at the Bank of America on Callabridge Court, where she had been a long-time employee.
Many referred to Ina Lang as their “Branch Mom.”
“I had no idea,” Mike Lang said. “I had no idea that my wife has affected so many people in so many ways. I only knew that she was great with me. That’s why I married her.”
Friends and family members have described the fatal shooting as a senseless act of violence.
“Her passing was very tragic and traumatic nobody deserves to die that way,” her daughter said.
“I feel like I failed to protect my wife,” Mike Lang said. “That’s the hardest thing for me. That’s what eats at me the worst.”
“I will miss her every day for the rest of my life and I hope we get justice for what happened,” Gonzalez said.
A small memorial has been established at the base of a tree near the bank branch.
Customers, friends and family have left flowers and personal items at the site to honor Ina Lang’s years of service at the location.
VIDEO: Memorial grows for Charlotte bank employee killed in random shooting
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