Exactly one week ago, a 34-year-old was brutally murdered while exercising on an Antioch greenway. Runners, families and community members paid tribute to a life lost too soon.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Monday, the Antioch community gathered to finish a woman’s last run.
Hundreds of joggers showed up in Antioch all for Alyssa Lokits. Exactly one week ago, the 34-year-old was brutally murdered while exercising on an Antioch greenway. Runners, families and community members paid tribute to a life lost too soon.
“It’s just fantastic to see the support — just to see that picture of her with her giant smile on her face is heartbreaking,” community member Stacy Garrison told News 2.
Lokits never had the chance to finish her jog. That’s what all the people were doing for her Monday night.
“Our community is going through a sense of communal grieving,” director of Tennessee Nature Academy, Jay Renfro, said. “Many of us didn’t know Dr. Alyssa, but we know that we lost someone incredibly bright.”
Metro police said that Lokits’ accused killer is 29-year-old Paul Park. Parkgoers have tried to come to terms with this apparent random attack.
“We need to continue to come out here on the greenway and continue to enjoy this place,” Renfro said. “Joy, after all, is the resistance to evil.”
Alyssa’s family told News 2 that she was incredibly smart and kind.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Garrison said. “I walk this trail often alone and always felt completely safe…I still want to continue to love my community and walk the trail and feel very comfortable.”
Her family asks donations go to the Mary Parrish Center, which helps victims of sexual and domestic abuse. Follow this link to find their wishlist.