Cracker Barrel Donates Money to Schools in Honor of Shooting Victims
Brooklyn restaurant sends Strongsville district a check after two fundraisers
The Cracker Barrel restaurant in Brooklyn has delivered a check for $18,323 to the Strongsville Schools -- money from two fundraisers in June in honor of the members of a Shurmer Road family killed in a shooting there April 12.
The fundraisers were a performance by country star Josh Turner June 4 on the front porch of the restaurant, and proceeds from the restaurant's sales all day on June 11.
The district has put the money into a special fund. Treasurer Bill Parkinson has said he wants to separate the donation "so people will be able to see what it's used for."
The district has not yet determined how the money will be spent.
On April 12, Kevin Allen, of Shurmer Road, went into the Brooklyn Cracker Barrel with a shotgun and opened fire on his wife, Kate, and daughters. Kerri and Kayla fled to a restroom, where Kerri was shot in the stomach. She and Kate died at the scene.
Kayla, 10, who was shot in the face, died May 15. She and Kerri were students at Chapman Elementary School.
Police say Kate had told her husband just before the shootings that she was leaving him. Kevin Allen went into the parking lot and drove around before entering the restaurant with a shotgun.
He was shot and killed by police as he exited the restaurant after he refused to put down the weapon.
"Cracker Barrel cares about this community and we are here to stay," Cracker Barrel General Manager Patricia Shawley said in a news release. "We think the best way to provide support that will touch the greatest number of families in the community and honor the Allen family is to support Strongsville City Schools, where Kayla and Kerri were students."