Family, Friends Remember Texas College Student Killed in Apparent Road Rage Shooting
— -- Family and friends of a Texas college student killed in an apparent road rage shooting gathered Saturday to mourn their loss as police searched for a gunman.
Sara Mutschlechner, a junior at the University of North Texas, died Friday after she was shot while leaving a New Year's Eve party. The 20-year-old was remembered as selfless, spirited, and fun-loving.
“There are so many people that knew her, that she touched their lives,” said her father, Clay Mutschlechner. “She never met a stranger.”
“She was friends with everyone,” added her mother, Gloria Mutschlechner.
“She was just one of those people that always had a smile on her face, never said no to an adventure," said Chris Challiot, a friend.
Mutschlechner, who described herself on her LinkedIn page as an "avid movie-goer," majored in radio, television and film with a minor concentration in theater, UNT spokeswoman Margarita Venegas told ABC News.
She was also a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, according to its Facebook page.
According to Denton police, early New Year's Day, an SUV pulled up alongside Mutschlechner's car, and words were exchanged with those in the SUV. Two or three rounds were fired at the young woman's car, and Mutschlechner lost control and crashed into an electrical pole.
Responding officers found Mutschlechner lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to her head.
Mutschlechner was rushed to the hospital, where she died. She had been acting as a designated driver for her friends, witnesses said.
Denton police say the gunman was in a black Lexus SUV occupied by five or six men. Witnesses told police at least two of the occupants were at a different New Year’s Eve party in Denton.
“We're sure that a lot of people at the party would've recognized who was in that vehicle and maybe be able to tell us who they were,” said Denton police officer Shane Kizer. “We've got a lot of people that we're wanting to talk with at this time."
ABC News' Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.
