In the midst of this joyous Christmas season, we are heartbroken by the news of the past few days.

Sadly, the days leading up to the most joyous of celebrations have been marred by unspeakable tragedy, with the horrific killing of a Selma teen.

Today, we offer our most sincere condolences to the family of Alexis Hunter, her friends and her classmates at Selma High School.

As the community comes together this evening for a candlelight vigil for Alexis to mourn her death, we hope it is also a time to celebrate her life.

During the day Monday, our reporters have spent time with the family, writing stories we never wanted to write, asking the questions we never wanted to ask.

We have also spent time in a local courtroom, hearing details of a killing that was without purpose, without provocation and only served to shatter the lives of too many families.

Today, we too stand with the rest of the Selma community in praying for Alexis’ family and for peace in our community.