VILONIA, AR - The Cleburne County sheriff says another person faces charges related to the shooting death of a Vilonia High School student. Jared Jones, 18, is charged with possession of an illegal weapon. On Wednesday, classmates of Amanda Allison gathered outside the flag pole to remember her and support her family.
Standing out in the cold, mostly everyone in silence, stunned over the loss of one of Vilonia High School's most well-liked students.
"She was the person you wanted to be around all the time. She was always there for you no matter what," classmate Rachael Gonzales says.
On what would have been Amanda Allison's 18th birthday, the senior class releasing red balloons for every year of her too short life.
"What better way to remember a friend than on her birthday with all her friends and her family coming together," classmate Kelsey Stephens says.
The three white balloons released for Amanda's family. Her father is also a math teacher at Vilonia High. Rachael Gonzales, a senior at the school, says Amanda always wanted to be around people.
"We were supposed to take her out for her birthday the night she died," Gonzales says.
Detectives say Allison was at a party at a house in rural Cleburne County
Saturday night when Cody Gorecke, 19, shot and killed her. He's now charged with second degree murder and other charges. Sheriff Marty Moss says Jones at one time owned the sawed-off shotgun used in the shooting. At some point it got in the hands of Gorecke.
Detectives says drugs and alcohol were also present and that other underage people who where there could be charged too.
Understandably the last few days with the investigation have been focused on how Amanda Allison was killed. Her friend however today focusing on how she lived her life. Each one saying it’s her smile they’ll remember most.
"It was the most beautiful smile I've ever seen,” Stephens says. I just love that. That's what I see every time I walk down the hallway, just her smile."
"I'll remember everyday I spent with her, everyday she was with me."
Gonzales says Allison planned to go to Arkansas State University after she graduated to become a police officer.
Funeral arrangements have also been announced. Services will be held at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Cabot on Friday at 5pm. Visitation hours are at the same location from 3-5pm.
Gorecke will be arraigned on charges of 2nd degree murder and aggravated assault Thursday morning in Cleburne County Circuit Court.
