Branstad, Reynolds offer condolences to Coral Ridge Mall shooting victim’s family, friends

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday he was saddened by a fatal shooting incident last Friday at the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville and offered his sympathies to the family of Andrea Farrington, who was shot and killed by a mall security employee Friday night.

'The lieutenant governor and I wish to offer our deepest condolences” to Farrington's family and friends, the governor said at his weekly news conference.

'I feel really bad. It's an unfortunate situation and we're very sorry that something like this has happened,” Branstad said.

'Andrea was a vibrant part of the Iowa City-Coralville community and someone who was passionate about engaging with our young people through the Children's Museum at the Coral Ridge Mall. She was taken from us far too early by this senseless act,” he added.

Farrington, who worked in the Children's Museum as a guest experience specialist and ‘playologist,' was shot three times in the back near the food court Friday by 22-year-old mall security guard Alexander Kozak Friday around 7:30 p.m., police said. Kozak faces one count of first-degree murder, a Class A felony that has an automatic life sentence. His bail has been set at $10 million cash.

Branstad praised law officers and emergency officials at the scene who quickly secured the building and protected the safety of others in the area at the time of the shooting.

The governor noted that he recommended legislation last session to toughen Iowa laws dealing with stalking offense and said he continues 'to believe that we need to do all that we can to try to protect people against stalking and domestic abuse and these kinds of activities.” He said he did not want to prejudge the situation and would see whether details arise from the investigation 'that may shed light on legislative action that can be taken in the future.”