GASTONIA, N.C. — Behind the conversations and drinks at Grape and Barley wine store in Gastonia, a community is still in mourning.
The local beer and wine shop hosted a fundraiser Saturday, less than a week after Gaston County Sheriff's Cpl. Katelyn Self and her sister-in-law Amanda Self were killed.
Part of proceeds from the fundraiser, including income from raffles and silent auctions, will benefit the Self family.
“We just wanted to try to help as best we could,” said Miles Copenhaver, co-owner of Grape and Barley. “It was a tragic situation and we just wanted to help."
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Tina Ballard, who worked with Amanda Self for 17 years in the emergency department at CaroMont Regional Medical Center, helped organize the fundraiser.
“We had to step up and do something for the family,” Ballard said. “She was smart, beautiful, could run the emergency department without any effort."
On Sunday, police said Roger Self intentionally drove an SUV into the Surf and Turf Lodge in Bessemer City, hitting a table full of his own family members.
Two other family members were also injured.
The family's pastor said Roger Self has been battling mental illness.
Those at this fundraiser who knew the family told Channel 9 they are still in disbelief.
“We all have had this same bad dream experience,” Ballard said. “It's still very surreal to us."
One of the surviving family members, Josh Self, is an officer with the Gaston County Police Department.
The department is organizing an upcoming T-shirt sale to support the family.
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