A candlelight vigil for the Eatonville couple who died in a murder-suicide shooting last week is scheduled for this Thursday, and fund-raising is underway to help their surviving children. Kristina Ditsche, who is organizing the vigil, said it will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the former First Citizens Bank, located on Washington Avenue in Eatonville. She said participants are asked to bring their own candles. A moment of silence at about 9 o'clock will be part of the proceedings, she said. Keith Johnson, 40, shot his wife, Julie Johnson, 37, at their home before shooting and killing himself on May 15, according to authorities. Ditsche said she and Johnson were co-workers at First Citizens before the branch closed last July. Because of that connection, Ditsche chose the building's parking lot as the vigil location, and has the permission of the owner to use the property, she said. A fund for the 16-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter of the Johnsons has been established by family members through the Key Bank branch in Eatonville. Donations can be made at any of the bank's branches to the Mary Katherine Barry Guardianship Fund for the Johnson Children of Eatonville. Kevin Kneeshaw, an uncle of the children, said in an e-mail to The Dispatch that "many have reached outGÇ¥ to help the children "in the recent tragic event that hit our community and their lives.GÇ¥ He said the children will be under the care of their grandparents and other relatives.
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