INDIANAPOLIS — One year has passed since a man walked into a Lawrence Dollar Tree and shot and killed 25-year-old Jasmine Bennett.
On Wednesday, her family began the day at her gravesite.
"We had her birthday party here," said Bennett's mom, Dina Ford.
Ford misses her daughter, Jasmine.
"Today was the day that we lost her. I mean, this was her rebirth, as my sister would say," Ford said.
The days, weeks and months linger.
"It's not getting easier. It'll never get easier. I have good days and bad days," Ford said.
Bennett wasn't supposed to go to work at the Dollar Tree on Pendleton Pike, near East 56th Street and Sunnyside Road, the morning of May 8, 2023, but she wanted to.
Investigators say Jalen Thomas allegedly shot and killed her over an alleged merchandise exchange.
Employees told a detective Thomas was fired from Dollar Tree in March for stealing and had been back twice "causing problems."
Witnesses identified Thomas as the suspect.
According to court documents, a detective informed Thomas of Bennett's death, to which Thomas reportedly told the detective it was his intent to kill Bennett.
Thomas also told the detective he was "sorry" and "didn't want the chance of parole or probation."
Bennett's family is waiting for their day in court.
"I'm being patient. I'd rather them be thorough and him not get off on any technicality," Ford said. "It hurts that he hasn't paid, but I'm just trying to wait it out."
The family is hoping for justice as they continue to honor the life taken too soon.
"Her bedroom is still the same as she left it. It's locked. And I go in there every now and then, and you can still smell her," Ford said.
Family and friends gathered outside of the Dollar Tree on Pendleton Pike to honor Bennett Wednesday evening to help keep her memory alive.