Cracker Barrel Shooting Victims Remembered

A group of friends and supporters have honored the victims of the Cracker Barrel shooting with a memorial bench and lilac bush at one of the Allen girls' favorite places, the Castletown Playground.

A ceremony took place Friday, April 12, the one-year anniversary of the shootings.

All four members of the Allen family, who lived on Shurmer Road, died in the wake of the domestic violence incident. 

Police have said Kevin Allen, upset because his wife, Kate, was leaving him, walked out of the Brooklyn Cracker Barrel, where the family was celebrating Kerri's 10th birthday, and got a gun, then returned to the restaurant and shot his wife and two daughters.

Kate and Kerri died shortly afterward; Kayla, 10, died May 15, 2012.

Kevin Allen was shot and killed by police as he left the restaurant with the gun.

In the wake of the tragedy, family friends started the New Life - New Hope Foundation to offer immediate aid to victims of domestic violence.

The group's Facebook page says it partners with established domestic violence agencies to offer direct financial assistance -- money for immediate persona needs -- to meet the needs of those seeking help.

The group also provides educational resources to local agencies that deal with victims of domestic violence.