News 12 at 6:00, July 5, 2008

Augusta, Ga. --- It started as a typical Fourth of July gathering. But then the celebrating on Augusta's Hicks Street went too far.

"People started shooting fireworks. My sister made a big mistake," Kenneth Utley said.

Kenneth's sister, 23-year-old Katato Casandra Utley, got a handgun and started firing it in the air to celebrate. Investigators say Utley fired the gun until it was empty, reloaded it, and then accidentally fired a round, hitting 42-year-old Karen Franklin of North Augusta in the chest. Karen was Kenneth's fiancee.

"We don't believe she intentionally shot the victim in this case. However it's still, the charge of involuntary manslaughter stands because she was committing an illegal act, that being celebratory gunfire at the time," Lt. Scott Peebles said.

Kenneth says he's not sure how the gun got involved in the first place.

"A lot of people shoot guns on the Fourth of July. So you just can't look at her like she's some criminal, and she's not. My sister and Karen, they love each other to death," Utley said.

Karen was taken to MCG where she later died.

"She was my life. Now that I lost her, it's like I lost everything," Utley said.

Now instead of Kenneth and Karen beginning their lives together, Kenneth is left with only the memories.

"I lost two people that I loved over night. One I'll never see again," Utley said.

Lt. Peebles says Utley has been charged with one count of Involuntary Manslaughter and one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. She is being held in the Richmond County Jail. Investigators believe this was an accident, but the case is still under investigation. They say alcohol is not a factor in this case.