Stacey Pennington, a 46-year-old woman from Mount Gretna, PA, tragically lost her life on September 7, 2015. She was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, Patrick Derr, outside her gift shop, The Gretna Emporium. Pennington, who was a mother of two, was well-known in the community for her dedication to her family and her business.
Patrick Derr, aged 47, pursued Pennington outside the shop and shot her twice before turning the gun on himself. Derr was airlifted to Hershey Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries a few days later. Investigators discovered that Pennington had a restraining order against Derr, which he violated by possessing a gun. Derr had also stolen his mother's car to carry out the attack.
The incident occurred despite the restraining order, which was still in effect at the time. Derr was scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on charges of simple assault and harassment. The tragic event left a significant impact on the Mount Gretna community, and Pennington's death was mourned by many who knew her.
In the aftermath, the community honored Pennington's memory by rededicating a playground in her name. Her legacy continues to be remembered through the lives she touched and the contributions she made to her community.
