The foster mother of a 19-year-old woman killed in a shooting is encouraging people to seek help if you’re a victim of domestic violence.

Dane Scates says she recalls how Candace Goodwin, of Stratford, would keep the family laughing with her jokes.

“She was really happy,” says Scates. “The jokes this girl could tell.”

Scates tells News 12 she grew close to Goodwin and went to court to become her legal guardian.

According to Scates, Goodwin had been dating the alleged shooter – 25-year-old Tarik Francis.

Police say Francis fatally shot Goodwin and 59-year-old Austin Burgher, of Jamaica, Thursday morning.

The reason for the shooting is not known.

Goodwin and Francis were living together at the time of her death.

After the double shooting took her daughter, Scates is speaking out against domestic violence.

“You really need to get out,” says Scates.

She is urging those who are living under domestic violence conditions to get help.

"It definitely is not your fault that someone is trying to control you," she says.

The family for Burgher says he was a beloved father and grandfather. They do not know why Francis, who called the victim “uncle”, would want to harm him.