Parents of woman shot and killed at Stow Taco Bell: It’s time to make a change

STOW, Ohio (WOIO) - The parents of Megan Keleman, who was killed last month, say they want to make sure the community remembers their daughter and they want to help make a change.

Nick and Kelly Keleman say ever since the night of Aug. 14, they have been numb.

That is the night their daughter was tragically shot and killed.

“She was a kind hearted caring person. She was always willing to do anything for anybody,” says Nick Keleman, Megan’s dad.

Nick says Megan just graduated with her master’s degree from Cleveland State University in May.

She also worked part-time with children at a mental health facility called Shelter Care.

“She was an advocate for making this place a better world and I think she was on the road to do that and it is sad that that got cut short,” says Nick.

Around 7 p.m. Megan was going to pick up dinner for her and her father.

Normally, the two would go together, however that night Megan went to the drive-thru with her dog Penny.

“Penny was her baby. She would go everywhere with Megan for little drives,” says Nick. “This particular night she was going to take Penny with her. I said, I am not sitting in the back seat, so that is the regret I have. If I would have went with her, maybe that extra few minutes would have made a difference.”

While Megan was in the drive-thru, her car was rear-ended by the driver behind her.

Scared for her life, she called her dad for help.

“The last thing you hear on the telephone is your daughter screaming, ‘He is out of the car’ and then I hear a pop,” says Nick.

The driver, who was later identified as Jason Williams, shot and killed Megan and then killed himself.

“I am yelling through the phone, ‘Megan! Megan talk to me,’” says Nick.

The Kelemans say that night their world turned upside down.

“Everyday, everyday it is hard to get up in the morning and you miss her so much,” says Kelly, Megan’s Mom.

Nick and Kelly say Megan was someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand, and they want to honor her by doing the same.

They started a scholarship fund in Megan’s name for the Sixth District School.

“Both of my kids flourished in that program, so they already do a scholarship, but we are adding another scholarship to that program,” says Nick.

They also say they want to advocate for more mental health resources.

“Someone who didn’t have the help that they needed, that should of had the help, took not only my daughters life, but took his own life,” says Nick.

They say they are also working with local politicians to hopefully make a change.

“There are other issues out there underlying the cause of what has happened. Not only to my family. It has happened to families prior to us. This shook a community,” says Nick.

The Kelemans say they want to see stricter gun laws and background checks.

“Talk to your senators, talk to your state representatives, talk to your governor, talk to people who can make a difference. Let them know enough is enough with this,” says Nick.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Kelemans are supporting a voluntary gun return at Harmony Springs Christian Church.

The goal is to get more guns off the street.