“She loved to be outside, you couldn’t keep her inside,” said her sister, Samantha Snyder, 24.
Julie Snyder was shot to death in a home on Southfield Avenue early Sunday, May 16. No one has been charged and the investigation is ongoing, Springfield Police Division Chief Stephen Moody said.
Family members said they’re struggling to make sense of Julie Snyder’s death.
“She took part of my heart with her,” said Snyder’s grandmother, Mary Snyder.
She might have looked as gentle and comely as a fresh flower, but family members said Julie Snyder was no shrinking violet.
“She had the guts of any man I ever met,” said her brother, Tony Snyder, 18.
And the sun-lover had a bright personality to match, said her father, Mark Snyder.
“When she was hurt inside, she was always happy outside,” he said. “She never complained.”
Tiffany Tester, 25, a close friend who the Snyders say is part of their family, was with Julie Snyder when she was killed.
The gunfire came from outside as Julie Snyder sat in the home enjoying time with friends, said Tester.
No one heard the gunfire, Snyder suddenly grabbed her chest and said, “I’m shot,” Tester recalled.
“I just jumped right on top of her and put my hand on her chest,” said Tester.
A painful end to a life that was full of energy, said Julie Snyder’s mother, Shawna Binegar.
“On every level of her life, she took it out to the limit,” said Binegar.
In the days since Snyder’s murder, her family said they’ve found comfort in the outpouring of sympathy — cards, letters, gifts — on the part of the community.
A fund has been established at Fifth Third bank to finance Julie Snyder’s funeral, family members said.
“I will never look at Springfield the same way after this,” said Samantha Snyder. “It’s been just beautiful the way the community’s come out in support of us.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.
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