Karly Rain Wood was a beautiful 20-year-old girl who had a bright future ahead of her. Born on her great-grandfather Carl’s birthday, she was named after him.  She was known for her kindness, work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit. She had plans to become a business owner, and her family and friends were excited to see what the future held for her. Unfortunately, Karly’s life was cut short when she was shot and killed at a party on November 13, 2022. Her death devastated her family and friends, who gathered to celebrate her life on what would have been her 21st birthday.

The celebration of life was aptly named “Pink Skies and Butterflies.” Pink was Karly’s favorite color, and she painted butterflies into many of her creations, something her Mom didn’t notice until after she was gone.  Pink and white decorations adorned the venue, and memories of Karly were on display. Her mother, Amber Wood, meticulously planned every detail of the event, from personalized “no ugly crying” tissues to paintings on display and music playing – all creations that Karly loved. Family and friends shared stories of her infectious smile, her love of dancing, and her habit of carrying a bag of fun from the Dollar Tree to cheer up her friends.

During the service, videos were shown that captured Karly’s infectious laughter, her joy for life, and her love for her friends and family. Though she may be gone, her spirit lives on through the memories and love that those who knew her hold close to their hearts.

Several politicians and law enforcement officials were among the attendees at the celebration of life for Karly Rain Wood. Suzanne Geist, a former state senator, spoke out about the lack of consequences for multiple violent felons and called for action. “We’ve got to put teeth back into the system,” she said, emphasizing the need for change.

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson praised the energy and focus that Karly’s family has put forth to make a positive change in her memory. He encouraged everyone to contact their elected officials, stating that it could have a significant impact for innocent victims.

US Senator Pete Ricketts also spoke about the fight against reducing penalties for gun violence and the concerning trend in Washington D.C. He emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement, reaching out to elected officials, and praying for those impacted by gun violence. He ended his speech by leading the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Karly.

Karly’s mother, Amber, is determined to drive change so that nobody else has to go through this horror. She has been in Lincoln making her voice heard as a victims’ rights advocate. Four bills were introduced this year that have relevance to this case.

LB 432 is a move to adopt the Second Look Act, which would lessen the punishments for crimes like drugs, stealing, and burglary, and would also let some offenders out of prison early if they are very sick or have served a long sentence. LB 163 proposes that the state can’t build any new prisons or jails until the number of people going to jail goes down for twenty years.

Amber has testified as an opponent of both bills, as she believes that tougher sentencing will help to prevent future issues with repeat felons.

She has testified in favor of two other bills that were presented around the same time. LB 110 is a proposed law that would create a program to help judges decide if someone is likely to commit another crime if they are released before their trial. LB 76 is a proposal to give law enforcement more access to information about people who are on probation or parole.

Amber is calling for justice and changes to the judicial and corrections system to address the issue of repeat offenders and public safety.  She said, “I really want people to understand that this isn’t done. There are still guys walking around that shot and killed her.”

In February, second-degree murder charges and multiple other felonies were filed against Imhotep Davis, including possession of a gun by a prohibited person in relation to Wood’s death. Tyvel Lampkin-Davis and Kiwan Dampeer have been charged with related gun charges.

But Amber says it isn’t enough. “It’s not okay to just get one guy.  Over sixty people were in that room, and nobody will talk to the police.  I’m tired of people not speaking up for victims.”

As Amber continues to advocate for change, she is also determined to keep Karly’s memory alive. The family is fundraising to establish a foundation or scholarship in her name, as well as offering a private reward for any information that leads to the capture of those responsible for her death. You can donate to the GoFundMe account here.

Karly’s life was full of promise and potential, cut short by gun violence. Her family and friends will continue to honor her memory and work towards a future where no one else has to suffer the same tragedy.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $25,000 reward for any leads in this investigation. If you have information, you can reach them at 402-444-STOP. Crime Stoppers uses a code system, so you never give your name.