Nick Cannon took to social media with a heavy heart as he shared with his followers that the woman killed by a gunman at a San Diego pool party over the weekend was his dear childhood friend.
The former America's Got Talent host shared the tragic news via Instagram on Tuesday, May 2.
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“My heart hurts with great sadness," Cannon wrote. "I just learned that the one life lost in the senseless and tragic mass shooting in San Diego was my childhood friend, who was more like family, Miss Monique Clark.
"Such a beautiful spirit with an infectious smile. I have nothing but wonderful memories of this Angel. Tears can’t express the pain and shock. A mother of 3, a sister, a daughter, a cousin, a friend and a Queen… Rest in Paradise,” he captioned a photo of himself, Clark and another friend smiling when they were kids.
The Associated Press reported that the shooting in which Clark was killed occurred on Sunday, April 30, during what was supposed to be a fun-filled birthday party at an apartment complex. Authorities say the gunman, Peter Selis, 49, was angry about a breakup with his girlfriend and decided to call her as he went out and shot strangers so she could hear the whole thing.
"It is apparent that Selis wanted his ex-girlfriend to listen in as he carried out his rampage," said Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman.
Law enforcement officials also said that Selis was initially sitting on a lounge chair by himself when he was approached by the party's host who likely was going to ask him if he wanted to join the party. At that moment Selis pulled a gun from his waistband and began firing shots at people. The gunfire killed Clark and injured six others.
"It was very eerie, to say the least," one guest at the party recalled. "He didn't stand up. He didn't say anything. He just opened fire."
Police fatally shot Selis. The other victims are in the hospital recovering at this time.