Family, friends remember shooting victim as 'always smiling'

Friends and family members are remembering Andrea Farrington as a woman whose words and actions fully lived up to the motto of the Iowa Children's Museum: "Inspiring every child to imagine, create, discover and explore through the power of play."

"She was amazing," said Deb Dunkhase, executive director of the museum where Farrington was employed. "She loved working at the children's museum, and we loved having her work there."

Dunkhase said Farrington, 20, the victim of Friday's fatal shooting at Coral Ridge Mall where the museum is located, was a "good match for a playologist" — the title the museum gives to its staff members.

"She was always bouncing with energy and always smiling," Dunkhase said.

Always smiling is how Farrington's cousin, Savanna Dayton, remembers her as well.

"She loved kids and loved her job," Dayton said.

Part of Farrington's responsibilities included staffing the Children's Museum's kiosk near the carousel at the mall's north entrance. It's a job that requires being friendly and informative as mall patrons ask questions about the museum, the mall or the region in general, Dunkhase said.

MORE COVERAGE:

Judge sets $10 million bond for shooting suspect

North Liberty man charged in fatal mall shooting

Witness recounts shooting at Coral Ridge Mall

Dispatch audio: Coral Ridge Mall shootings in Coralville

Farrington was staffing the kiosk at 7:31 p.m. Friday when police say — in the midst of a crowded mall area near the food court — she was shot three times by Alexander Kozak, of North Liberty, a 22-year-old mall security guard. Kozak fled the scene, but was apprehended about an hour later near Davenport by an Iowa State Trooper and Scott County Sheriff's office.

Authorities identified Farrington as the victim in a news conference Saturday. Kozak was charged with first-degree murder and is in jail on a $10 million cash-only bond.

Coral Ridge Mall remained closed on Saturday, although most of the outer ring stores — those with their own outside entrances — were open for business.

"Our prayers are with the victim and entire Coralville community," mall officials posted to its Facebook page about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. "We are cooperating with the Coralville Police Department as it conducts its investigation of this tragedy. We ask you keep all those affected and their families in your thoughts. The mall will remain closed to the public until further notice."

The Children's Museum will host a memorial service for Farrington at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

"It's just a chance for everyone to hear from the people who worked with Andrea and who loved her," Dunkhase said.

Dayton said her cousin had complained to her about Kozak — saying several times that he had engaged in disturbing behavior toward her for at least the past six weeks.

Dayton said her cousin told her Kozak would stare at her while she was working, leave notes on her car and "just be scary and weird."

"She was scared that he knew so much about her," Dayton said.

Dayton said she did not know what specific steps that Farrington had taken to lodge complaints about Kozak's behavior.

Dayton told the Press-Citizen on Saturday afternoon that she believed Farrington was afraid Kozak would physically harm her -- even kill her. But in later communication, Dayton backed off on how she characterized her cousin's concern.

Dayton said she found out about the shooting Friday night when her uncle, who manages the bar where she works, told her that Farrington had been injured. Dayton drove the 75 miles to Iowa City from New Sharon soon after, but Farrington died before she reached the hospital, she said.

Court documents say that after Kozak left the mall on Friday, he allegedly retrieved a gun from his residence in North Liberty, returned to the mall about 7:30 p.m., shot Farrington in the back three times and fled. Witnesses told the Press-Citizen Friday evening that several shots rang out in the food court area near the carousel entrance.

Although Farrington hadn't declared a major, Dayton said, she was very interested in studying psychology in order to figure out how to help others move through the depression that she sometimes experienced.

"She was just trying to help everyone out, and she would try to put everyone else's needs above hers," Dayton said.

After being issued a Miranda warning, the court documents state, Kozak admitted that he intentionally killed Farrington and that it was premeditated.

Attempts to reach Kozak's wife, Kellie Kozak, for comment Saturday were not successful.

Reach Jeff Charis-Carlson at 319-887-5435 or jcharisc@press-citizen.com. Follow him @jeffcharis.