The Syracuse Community is familiar with the victims in the double shooting early Thursday morning of a young couple who had both held jobs around Syracuse. Joshua Randall Knisley, deceased, and girlfriend Tara Thornburg both graduated from Wawasee High School. Thornburg is now fighting an uphill battle of recovery at the Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital after suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Knisley also suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Those who worked closely with the victims have only kind words to share. Jack palmer, manager at NewMarket in Syracuse, said Thornburg is, “a very nice young lady. She is in our prayers.” Friends of Thornburgs have taken to her Facebook page to post messages of encouragement and hope for a quick recovery.
Knisley, a former employee at the Frog Tavern in Syracuse, was described as “big-hearted” by Kerry Jeckert and other co-workers gushed, “he would do anything for anyone.” As an employee of 3 years, Knisley was well-known. He spent his time cooking, but Hadley Gill joked that he, “spent more time talking than cooking.” Owner Doug Shoemaker and employees laughed as they recalled memories of Knisley’s love for his car stereo systems, chuckling as they shared stories about him checking on his vehicle throughout the night.
Co-workers also say Knisley spent some time as a volunteer firefighter through Wawasee High School. They said training as a firefighter was something Knisley wanted to do after graduating.
Wawasee Community School Corporation stated today that, “Wawasee Community Schools are thinking of the family and friends of both Josh and Tara, and all involved.”
Thornburg was a 2010 graduate of Wawasee High School and spent much of her time at the school cheerleading.