‘She was wonderful’: Friend remembers woman killed in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, N.C. — When Paula Sullivan met Chartara Courtney last week for coffee, she felt like something was wrong.

Courtney died on Monday in a domestic violence shooting outside of her home in Harrisburg.

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Wednesday, Channel 9′s Hannah Goetz spoke with Courtney’s coworker and friend who has known her for years. Sullivan said Courtney was the district manager at a Waffle House pushing her towards new goals.

“She stayed on me, you know, and then I got it, and then I ended up getting that promotion,” Sullivan told Goetz.

The two would meet for coffee weekly, even after Courtney moved to Charlotte to take a regional management position. Last Tuesday, they did just that.

“We just talked and laughed and you know, just had a good time,” Sullivan said.

But she says their coffee date was interrupted when Willie Wimbley showed up to the Starbucks unannounced.

Wimbley is the man police say shot and killed Courtney earlier this week.

“She had told him, ‘I told you this, you know, I told you I had a coffee date with Miss Paula, you know,’” Sullivan said. “He went and ordered something and sat away from us. His presence just seemed off to me, you know, like I had a bad feeling about it.”

Timothy Williams, the director of shelter services for Safe Alliance, says there are signs to look for if you suspect a loved one is experiencing domestic violence.

“Any kind of extreme signs of jealousy, if you’re out with friends or if you’re spending significant time away or if they see that you’ve ben prevented or discouraged from spending time with coworkers, family, peers, anything like that,” Williams told Goetz.

Sullivan said Courtney never mentioned abuse in the relationship.

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Williams has a message for anyone in a similar situation.

“I think it’s important that for anyone listening to know that you’re not alone, that there are resources and support available, and that you deserve to live a free life from fear, from anxiety, from violence in general,” Williams said.

On Wednesday, the front yard of the Harrisburg home had a small memorial in Courtney’s honor. It was set up by neighbors who didn’t have the chance to get to know her, but it shows how much the community cares.

Wimbley died during the incident Monday evening. Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office investigators said Wimbley took his own life, but a final determination still hasn’t been made.

Safe Alliance has a hope line that can offer help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also offer counseling and free legal services. Call 980-771-HOPE for help.

(VIDEO: Therapist shares thoughts after several domestic violence related deaths throughout city)