KC-area woman killed by shots fired into home had no part of the feud, relatives say

Relatives of an Independence woman killed last week by gunfire wish they could wake up from this nightmare.

Abigail Edwards, 20, was inside a home on Oxford Avenue when two men allegedly started firing into the house. They were involved in a feud with someone inside but not with Edwards, her relatives said.

Edwards suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died in the home, Independence police said.

"Abigail wasn't involved and unfortunately just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time that night, and it cost her her life," said cousin Heather Kidd. "It's an indescribable pain. ... You just sit and stare at her pictures wishing you could see her smile one more time, hug her one more time, tell her you love her just one more time."

Two men, William H. York and Tristen W. Bishop, were charged this week with unlawful use of a weapon in connection to the shooting. York also faces a charge of armed criminal action.

Charging documents indicate the shooting may have been fueled by an altercation over a stolen vehicle.

Bishop and York had criminal records before their alleged involvement in the shooting last week.

Bishop was among four people charged with robbery after they allegedly lured a man into a trap over Snapchat, promising him sex with a woman and then robbing him. The four people allegedly took his wallet, car and most of his clothes before releasing him at a park.

Bishop pleaded guilty in 2016 to second-degree robbery. He served two stints of four-month shock time sentences and was released in January, according to court records. He was sentenced to five years' supervised probation that same month.

He was charged in December with felony drug possession.

York pleaded guilty in 2017 to receiving stolen property.

Edwards aspired to one day become a marine biologist, Elizabeth Kidd, her mother, said in a statement. She recalled watching their two favorite television shows together, "Criminal Minds" and "Forensic Files."

"Abby ... always felt the need to want to help someone even if she needed it herself," Elizabeth Kidd said.

Another cousin, Beth Kidd, said Edwards was a bright and caring woman with a contagious laugh.

"It's absolutely heartbreaking," she said. "To know that such a young girl ended up in the wrong place of a bad situation. My heart hurts every day knowing that Abby didn't get to fulfill her fullest life."

A memorial service for Edwards is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Connection Point Church, 10500 E. State Route 350 in Raytown.

This story was originally published April 26, 2018 at 10:51 AM with the headline "KC-area woman killed by shots fired into home had no part of the feud, relatives say."