Photograph of Carson McDonald's gunman

I'm a step sister of "Krissy"and had not seen her since we were young girls.She returned back from Tolleson, AZ on May 30, 2008. I was anxious to see her and told my sister(Tina Coleman)that I wanted to come by once Krissy got settled.

I want to let the family of the young man know. I pray for them as well as my own family. It is really sad for not just one young life to be taken, but two. I didn't know anything about their relationship.Krissy told us that she was returning to California to work back with L.A.U.S.D. She's only been back from AZ for 2 weeks. I didn't even get a chance to say HI!!!

Talea D. Coleman
Los Angeles, Ca.

I worked with Krystina but I really didn't know her but I did notice that she was a quiet person always keeping to herself. I do know McGee the father of her youngest child. I know he is hurting and my prayers go out to him and her family. I wish Stephen thought about Krystina and her sons and the family and friends she leaves behind to mourn her

I worked with Officer Krystina Reed in Arizona. She was good officer for the Sheriff's Department. I will always remember Kristina Reed as being a mother who dearly loved her three children. Everyday, she had something special to say about her children. EVERYDAY!!! She was a beautiful Lady, with a beautiful, pearly white smile, who deserved to watch her children grow up. She will be missed by many. My prayers and symphathy go out to her three children, family and friends she has. Officer Reed, you are in Heaven with Angels all around you. Rest well. Amen.

Officer Y. Davis

First of all, let me say that I am extremely sorry for both of the families affected by this tragedy. It is senseless that this situation came to this, and I pray for the souls of both of the individuals directly involved. However, there has been a gross disservice to the public in regards to the "facts" that have been presented in this situation. And if possible, I'd like to address them briefly.

Let me start by saying I met Krystina a few times, didn't know her very well and can't tell you much about her past. But I knew Stephen very well. He was like a brother to me, and I do have an understanding of what he was dealing with in regards to his relationship with her.

Stephen had been to hell and back in the last few months regarding an on-going feud with Krystina. He left her behind in Arizona and had begun to make a new life for himself. He had a great job, was a supervisor in fact, and was on schedule to earn nearly six figures. He was in the process of securing a home, and a new car (hoping to get rid of the truck that was still tied to her) and moving forward with his life. He had just gotten over a legal situation involving her in which charges were filed against him in Arizona. That case was dismissed with predjudice (meaning it could be re-filed within a year) because she didn't show up for the hearing. Stephen had retained lawyers and was doing everything to fight this case, and the mind games that were being played with him by "others" involved in it weighed heavily on him. Krystina worked for the sheriff's dept. in Phoenix, which stacked the odds against him when the case was filed (think about that statement). In addition, she was dating another employee of the department, and she had told Stephen that he would be KILLED if he were convicted and placed behind bars.

There were times when all of this drama was unfolding where Stephen felt like he had no one to turn to. He knew his background as a convicted felon would hurt him in this legal trap waiting for him in Arizona, and his attorneys even felt helpless in the situation. He was continually having his life and freedom dangled in front of him, all part of the mind game that was being played on him. People say there's a thin line between love and hate. Let me tell you that in this situation, that line was basically transparent, because one minute he was loved, and the next he was hated in a way that made you wonder if that type of loathing was capable by a rational human being. Several people have heard the messages that were left on Stephen's cell phone including myself, and the rage that came through from the messenger was an ominous sign for things to come.

Krystina was fired or resigned from her job recently, and blamed Stephen for this. Her loved ones and her supervisor can attest to this fact. That is the reason she was back in L.A., because she had lost her job. That is a fact! Here are a few other facts:

Stephen had given her money to relocate after she didn't show up for that hearing.

Stephen had given her money as a down payment on the new Chrysler Pacifica she was driving the day of the incident.

Krystina had taken nearly $12,000 out of an account belonging to Stephen.

Those who are close to her should know this to be true, because those of us close to him know these things happened without a shadow of a doubt. It's flat-out ridiculous to assert that he was stalking her, because there is plenty of evidence left behind via cell phone and text messages and eye witnesses to suggest the exact opposite. There were individuals doing background checks on Stephen (he paid for a service that alerted him every time someone ran his name) and he feared that someone was either trying to set him up for something or was trying to kill him. There were calls made to his job and his supervisors in an attempt to get him fired, and this is also very easy to verify. My dear beloved friend, was literally at his wits end over this situation, and he felt like he had nowhere to turn to rid himself of this nightmare. Stephen was being terrorized, and everyone close to him knows this is true.

What transpired in that McDonald's on Father's Day is a mystery to us all. There are reports of an argument taking place, and that he killed her before turning the gun on himself. I wonder why there has been no mention, at least publicly, of the fact that she ran into McDonald's with the gun in question in her own hands? Or that witnesses saw a gentleman run out of the same location moments after the incident with a child in tow (was this the man she was "supposed" to be marrying in a week with her youngest child?)? There are so many questions that are unanswered, and unfortunately we will never know the reason for why this thing turned deadly on Sunday.

But here's what I do know. If Stephen did what has been alleged, then I can't absolve him of that, because there had to be a better resolution than the one that was chosen. Anything would have been better than what happened on Sunday, and no one can disagree with that assertion. Two people are gone, a father and a mother, and there are six children left behind to ponder a life full of "what ifs" in regards to those who are now deceased.

With that being said, I wish the world could only grasp the pain, frustration and drama that engulfed Stephen in this situation. He was not a monster, as some have portrayed him to be. He was not a stalker, as some have suggested he might be. He was a man who got a second chance at life and was trying to make the most of it, and, unfortunately, fell into the worst trap of all. I would never judge a person for anything that they've done, and I pass no judgement on Krystina for the things I know have happened. But we all should learn to walk in someone else's shoes before we are quick to assume one way or another.

God bless to everyone connected to Krystina and Stephen, and know that only Jesus can bring comfort to your hurt at this time.

In closing, let me remind everyone who might be involved in an explosive or potentially dangerous relationship of one thing: It's a thin line, a very thin line, between love and hate. And you might want to consider what side you're walking on before taking another step.

I knew and worked with Officer Krystina Reed. Yes, she was an honorable Detention Officer, who worked for the Sheriff's Office in Phoenix Arizona. She was an outstanding Officer for the Sheriff's Department. And it was not a civilian position, she worked custody, Law Enforcement. She was an Officer! She graduated from a really tough Academy to become an Officer and it was NOT A CIVILIAN'S POSITION. She was very pretty and always presented a professional apperance in her uniform. She was very intelligent too. She was very well liked by all of her peers and Supervisor's. She properly left a two week notice upon leaving the Sheriff's Office in Arizona, to move her children closer to family. She left with an outstanding work record and was always welcome back, if she wished to return. Her last night with the Sheriff's officer, we held a wonderful pot luck dinner for her outstanding service. It was a lot of fun but we were sad to see her go. Her supervisors and fellow officer's have much respect for her. She was a wonderful Mother and not one day passed by without Officer Reed telling many kind stories about her 3 children. She adored her children and lived for those kids! She always put their needs before hers and being a single mom is difficult, but she made sure her children came first! Always! They were her pride and joy! Each of them, in their own uniuque way, she talked about. And you could see the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke of them. I am so saddened by Officer Reed's untimely passing as are many other Detention Officer's who worked with her. I am so sorry for her 3 children that their wonderful mother was taken from them in this manner. Officer Reed was an outstanding citizen too. Most importantly, she was a woman of faith. She believed in God and taught her children to love the Lord. She will be missed my many, many people, family, friends and the Law Enforcement Community in Arizona. Many Angels are surrounding her in Heaven right now and her children will be cared for and loved the way she wished for them to be. She will always be their Mother too! Nothing can ever take that away! She will always have us too! We will continue to talk to her and pray for her. She will live on in the hearts of many! God bless you Officer Krystina Reed! My prayers and thoughts continue for you and your children! Rest well with the Lord. Amen.

I have a few questions for "the Truth". Your version and take on the “situation” seem very one sided. Your “truth” seems very inconsistent with the one truth that we all know is a FACT…..STEPHEN LEE MERIWEATHER SHOT AND KILLED KRYSTINA REED!!! So my questions are (i) is she was truly the aggressor and/or stalker then why did HE KILL HER?!?!?!?!? (ii) if she ran into McDonalds with a gun why did Stephen chase/follow her in…..why not just leave?!?!!?!?! (iii) exactly what is this “trap” you refer to in your blog….because if my memory serves me correctly….he chased/followed Krystina into McDonalds and SHOT AND KILLED HER!! (iv) please address why you feel it is significant that a man ran out of McDonalds with a young child in tow…..I would have grabbed my child and ran too if an obviously disturbed person opened fire in a public place (v) please explain why Stephen gave her money to relocate after she did not show up for the hearing…..was this a bribe? Did he pay her not to show up?!?!?!?!?!?!? (vi) why did he give her money for a new car???? Especially if she had already stolen so much money from his account. Oh and by the way…how did she have access to his account???? (vii) Is it possible that the background checks ran on Stephen was preformed by his present employer? Why would he assume someone was trying to kill him? (viii) And lastly….why do you say “if Stephen did what was alleged”…..it is my understanding that witnesses and forensics all confirm that STEPHEN LEE MERIWEATHER SHOT AND KILLED KRYSTINA REED AND THEN SHOT HIMSELF! Why are you so quick to rally behind certain eyewitness accounts (specifically with respect to the witnesses who say a man run out with a kid) but then refute the accounts that paint Stephen as the monster he obviously was?

I understand that Stephen was your friend and I don’t doubt that he was in a bad situation, but the reality is that STEPHEN LEE MERIWEATHER SHOT AND KILLED KRYSTINA REED!!!! No matter how you look at it, it seems to me that he was wrong!!!

dear truth
how can someone get in contact with you inorder to listen to the messages and view the text messages you speak of. Please let me know.

Dear Truth....Oh my bad!!!

Dear LIAR!!!

Stephen Lee Meriwether is a COLD BLOODED KILLER! No, worse...he is Satin himself!!! And you are Satin's brother!!! How dare you try and defend that evil monster after he beat the he** out of Kristina and put her in the hospital! That's why he was in trouble in Arizona...Tell the truth you BIG LIAR!!! It's public record, look it up, if you even have the smart's to do the bookwork. How dare you try and hide the fact of why he was in trouble in Arizona...(that he was in BIG trouble)...He brought on himself!!! Krystina did not make him assault her!!! That evil, wife beating, high on alcohol DEVIL, chose his own path!!! Steven Meriweather is an abusive, wife beater!!! And a convicted Felon!!! And Kristina was a Christian, who loved and believed in the Lord, who tried to give him a new chance, tried to forgive his past and make a new future with him. She got sucked into his lies too and after all that abuse he put her through, she tries (like 3 out of every 10 women) accrossed this globe, to leave this abusive relationship and he hunts her down and MURDERS her!!! HOW DARE YOU!!! YOU BIG CREEP!!! HOW DARE YOU try and tarnish the good name of such a wonderful person as Kristina Reed. I'm not surprised that you were a close friend of Steven Meriweather's, you are just like him!!! YOU ARE JUST AS EVIL AS Steven Meriweather!!! May God forgive you both, because many will not forgive you!!!

I knew and worked with Officer Krystina Reed. Yes, she was an honorable Detention Officer, who worked for the Sheriff's Office in Phoenix Arizona. She was an outstanding Officer for the Sheriff's Department. And it was not a civilian position, she worked custody, Law Enforcement. She was an Officer! She graduated from a really tough Academy to become an Officer and it was NOT A CIVILIAN'S POSITION. She was very pretty and always presented a professional apperance in her uniform. She was very intelligent too. She was very well liked by all of her peers and Supervisor's. She properly left a two week notice upon leaving the Sheriff's Office in Arizona, to move her children closer to family. She left with an outstanding work record and was always welcome back, if she wished to return. Her last night with the Sheriff's office, we held a wonderful pot luck dinner for her outstanding service. It was a lot of fun but we were sad to see her go. Her supervisors and fellow officer's have much respect for her. She was a wonderful Mother and not one day passed by without Officer Reed telling many kind stories about her 3 children. She adored her children and lived for those kids! She always put their needs before hers and being a single mom is difficult, but she made sure her children came first! Always! They were her pride and joy! Each of them, in their own uniuque way, she talked about. And you could see the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke of them. I am so saddened by Officer Reed's untimely passing as are many other Detention Officer's who worked with her. I am so sorry for her 3 children that their wonderful mother was taken from them in this manner. Officer Reed was an outstanding citizen too. Most importantly, she was a woman of faith. She believed in God and taught her children to love the Lord. She will be missed my many, many people, family, friends and the Law Enforcement Community in Arizona. Many Angels are surrounding her in Heaven right now and her children will be cared for and loved the way she wished for them to be. She will always be their Mother too! Nothing can ever take that away! She will always have us too! We will continue to talk to her and pray for her. She will live on in the hearts of many! God bless you Officer Krystina Reed! My prayers and thoughts continue for you and your children! Rest well with the Lord. Amen.

This has gone extremely too far. Has everyone forgotten that two people died? It's not about who was right vs. who was wrong. Six children are left without a parent. Two families are grieving the exact same way. Name calling and finger-pointing aren't going to bring neither Stephen or Krystina back.

I am a first cousin of Stephen, and I'm saddened and heart-broken by this tragedy. The facts are irrelevant at this point; it happened and we can't change that.

The two people who are now dead are the ONLY people who knew the "truth" about their relationship. Stephen told his version of their relationship, and Krystina told her version. We on the outside looking in, don't really know what led to this tragedy. So everyone please stop passing judgment, and let them rest in peace. It's not solving anything, and it's not going to bring them back.

I would like to send my apologizies and deepest sympathy to the family of Krystina. Let's please move on and put an end to this for once and for all.

HOW SAD, HOW TRAGIC. LET'S JUST PRAY FOR EVERYONE.

AS WE READ AND WOMDER WHY THIS HAD TO HAPPEN. WE ALL NEED TO STEP BACK AND REMEMBER THEIR ARE CHILDREN THAT ARE INVOLVE. THEY MUST BE CRYING IN THEIR SLEEP WONDERING WHERE'S MY MOMMIE? WHERE'S MY DADDY? WE ALL NEED TO BE PUTTING SOME TRUST FUND'S IN PLACE FOR ALL THESE CHILDREN. MY HERAT GOES OUT TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM.I TRULY SORRY FOR THE CHILDREN. MAY GOD BLESS THEM AND THE ONE'S THAT'S WATCHING OVER THEM.

R.E.A.L said:
The Truth said, In search of the truth and Dawn

In life things happen that we can't explain. Sometimes we would like to change it. But In this situation "sadly said" we can't change the hands of time.

Keisha Oguynn

Why the need to give apologies to Krystina family, and not just give your deepest sympathy?
Why should you feel that the facts are not IRRELEVANT? They are!!!! Your Cousin had troubles that he created, a drunk, a weed smoker,drunk driver, active criminal activities, need I go on... his record speaks for itself all the way to the last added to the list a MURDERER!
The answer is not just let them rest in peace but take this tragedy and learn from it. What can be done to prevent this sort of thing from happening to your love one or anyone else again. There is always signs of a person out of control,having drinking problems, perhaphs drugs, stress, depression or in an abrusive relationship and all sorts of other situation. The Key is not to Ignore these signs but seek help for the person or persons envolved. When someone is talking to you not only listen but act as well (THEY ARE ASKING FOR HELP). You must understand that others has lost a love one here also. Being it a friend,daughter, mother, son, brother,father and with every loss there is pain, anger, sorrow,frustrations emotions that you sometime can't explain. Being that she was MURDERED (A VICTIM) they may have questions and want other to know the person as they did. Therefore it will be good and bad point of views.
And Him MURDERING himself (VICTIM) Surely tells us that he was having mentally issue. This could not have happen in a day or two but over a coarse of time. Someone should have intervene and stopped the distruction being made. PLEASE KNOW THAT JESUS WILL JUDGE IN THE END AND NOTHING THAT ANYONE WRITE WILL CHANGE THAT JUDGEMENT!!!! Let take a stand in this world and Act on these issues and make this world we live in a little better with our change by helping others in need.
I pray for you all and especially Kristina 3 children and Stephen 3 children. May GOD bless you and give you inner PEACE.