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Who was Susan Karnatz? Mom-of-three killed by Raleigh shooter was a dedicated marathoner

In a Facebook post, Susan’s husband, Tom, expressed his grief and said that the pair had enormous plans for their lives together with their three sons

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: Susan Karnatz was one of the five victims that died in the Raleigh shootings in the Hedingham neighborhood on October 13. According to the police, the mass shooting occurred on the streets of Hedingham and on the greenway. A cop named Gabriel Torres was another victim who was killed in the brutal shooting.

Together with her husband Tom, Susan lived in Hedingham, Raleigh. In a Facebook post following the shooting, he expressed his grief for her and said the pair had enormous plans for their lives together with their three sons as empty nesters once the boys are grown. A poem published by him in her honor read, “For Sue Butler Karnatz. We had big plans together And we had little plans together. We had plans together for big adventures And plans together for the mundane days in between. We had plans together with the boys And we had plans together as empty nesters We had plans together for growing old. Alway together. Now those plans are laid to waste. We have big memories together And we have little memories together. We have memories together of joyous occasions And memories together of plain times in between. We have memories together from before the boys And memories, many memories together with the boys. Always and for ever, memories together.” In response to the post, numerous condolence notes were bestowed upon the Karnatz family. Many people praised Susan for her commitment to social justice, her love of running and her generosity.

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In another Facebook post, her sister Sharon penned an emotional message, remembering the fond memories she shared with Susan while mourning her loss. The post read: ”We are heartbroken. My beautiful sister’s life ended yesterday because of this tragedy. Sue Butler Karnatz was a wife, a mom to 3 boys, a daughter, a niece, a confidante, an ultrarunner, a reader, an advocate, and so much more. She loved life and nature, and had the most gentle of hearts, protecting even the stray bug that made its way into her house. She loved her family fiercely and there is a big hole there now. I could be my true self with her, and when we got together, we’d revert to childhood mode sometimes, laughing until one of us cried (usually her). As her husband said, there are memories now where once there were plans - big plans, small plans, mundane plans. As is the case for so many who lose loved ones too soon, the tragedy seems so very senseless, and I just can’t understand it. Although we live in different cities, I am already facing countless ways that I’ll feel her absence every day. As I lay awake - as I have all night - I know that this loss is one of many yesterday, affecting so many people. Profoundly.  Other families are aching just as we are. Thanks for reading and letting me share a glimpse of my sister with you. Please remember her with me.”

According to Susan’s Facebook profile, she ran and prepared for several marathons and loved spending time with her children. It is also believed that Susan was a dog lover apart from being a loving mother.