In the early morning hours of July 15, 2017, the life of 17-year-old Kiera Breanne Quintana was tragically cut short in Grand Junction, Colorado. Kiera, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend, was shot and killed in the parking lot of an Orchard Mesa City Market. Born on June 1, 2000, in Grand Junction, Kiera was known for her passion for music and dance, a contagious smile, and a kind and adventurous spirit. She was looking forward to her senior year of high school with dreams of joining the United States military, specifically the Army Band.
The events that led to her untimely death began to unfold over a debt of $100. Kiera had driven a friend to the home of 20-year-old Israel Jerome Massingill. While her friend went inside to collect the money owed by Massingill, Kiera waited in the car. Inside the residence, a confrontation occurred where Massingill reportedly pointed a gun at the friend. Later, Massingill requested a ride to an ATM at the City Market to get the money. Kiera, an innocent party in the matter, drove them to the location.
In the grocery store parking lot, Massingill fatally shot Kiera in the head before shooting her friend as she tried to flee. The friend survived her injuries. Massingill was arrested shortly after the shooting. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, assault, menacing, and domestic violence. A judge ordered him to be held without bail and to have no contact with Kiera's parents or the surviving victim.
