Acampo woman killed

Anjie Coberly becomes emotional while looking at her daughter's Dodge Charger on Thursday at their Acampo home. Coberly's daughter, Britani, was fatally shot at their home Wednesday evening. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Acampo woman killed

Woman, who was shot along with her boyfriend, described as 'a sweet girl who loved her family'

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Friday, November 20, 2009 6:13 AM PST

Comments (15 comment(s))

A 20-year-old woman was shot and killed shortly after she and her boyfriend arrived at their Acampo home Wednesday night.

Britani Coberly was pronounced dead at a local hospital after the 8:40 p.m. shooting, said San Joaquin County Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Dave Konecny. Her boyfriend, whom officials did not name, was also shot but he had been treated and released from the hospital by Thursday morning.

Sheriff's deputies released little information, other than to say that the shooting happened shortly after the victims arrived home in the 22400 block of North Highway 99 East Frontage Road, just south of Peltier Road. Deputies were subsequently called to a report of shots being fired.

Coberly's death stunned family members and friends, as well as her boss of two years, who was helping to organize a fund to help pay for burial expenses.

"She was just an innocent little red-haired, freckled, sweet girl who loved her family," said Angie Orlandella-Beagle, who owns Havatan in Lodi.

Orlandella-Beagle cried as she talked about the girl who knew every customer's name and who spent hours studying and testing for her tanning certification, even though California is not one of the states that requires it. Coberly was certified Oct. 2, according to a framed diploma hanging on the tanning salon's wall.

"She liked my hat, and I told her that when she got certified I'd get her one. But I hadn't gotten one for her yet," Orlandella-Beagle said, breaking down into sobs.

The business owner faced the task of telling her customers, some of whom had already heard the news but were still in disbelief. One young woman entered the salon Thursday afternoon, saw a sign for the memorial fund and learned that an employee had been killed.

"Not the one with the little brothers and sisters?" the customer cried, before she began weeping.

Britani Coberly, center, with brother Wayne Coberly III, left, and sister Kayleigh Coberly. (Courtesy photo)

Orlandella-Beagle said Coberly doted on her younger siblings, and she only asked to change her work schedule in order to attend their sporting events. She never arrived at work late and had called in sick just once in two years, her boss said.

The whole family loved playing softball, and Coberly played first base for Havatan's team, which played in Lodi's city-run leagues.

Family friend Patty Grauman has fond memories of playing softball with Coberly's mother, Anjie, while her father, Wayne, coached and Coberly watched.

"I still see that little freckled face and that smile. I just can't fathom what has happened," she said.

Another family friend, Valerie Hawker, also recalled Coberly's near-constant smile and love of her younger siblings, as well as her love for dressing up.

Coberly and her boyfriend lived on her parents' property in an apartment that had previously been a garage. It was constructed in 2006, after a big rig lost control on Highway 99, careened off the road and slammed into the home, demolishing the garage.

It became a crime scene Wednesday night, with yellow Sheriff's tape stretched across the driveway, past Coberly's black Dodge Charger. An evidence technician processed the scene, including a large travel trailer.

Woodbridge firefighters hosed off the front steps of the family's home Thursday morning, and then deputies removed the yellow tape.

Konecny, the Sheriff's spokesman, had no further information later Thursday.

Investigators asked anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Office at 468-4400.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Coberly family fundraiser

A bank account has been established to help Britani Coberly's family pay for burial expenses. Donations may be made at any Farmers and Merchants Bank branch, to the "Britani Coberly Memorial Fund" account.

Havatan is also accepting donations, which owner Angie Orlandella-Beagle said will all go to the memorial fund. On Sunday the tanning salon will offer $5 services, rather than the normal price of $15 to $39, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Customers may pay any amount, and all money will go to the fund.

The fundraiser will be held at Havatan's Lodi business, 100 N. Cherokee Lane, and the Stockton salon at 7145 Pacific Ave.

Britani Coberly was shot and killed in her Acampo home on Wednesday night. (Courtesy photo)

Reader Feedback

TLPresler wrote on Nov 23, 2009 11:51 AM:

" It's Such Sad News.

The Reality is that Violent Crime seems to be on the uprise. As the Recession and Economy continues to suffer, we will all have to be more careful and diligent regarding protecting ourselves and our property from violent crime.

It's horrible times. These days, there's just certain places and areas around town where I won't spend a lot of time... "

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