Ultra Lounge sits closed in downtown Dallas Monday evening (Stuart Palley)
Chané Waldron was known for her big, beautiful smile and positive attitude. Not one to settle for anything less than perfection, the SMU graduate was “a fun, cheerful person who always wanted to just have fun and laugh,” said Erica Rhodes, a 2008 graduate of SMU. “She laughed all the time, she was just goofy.”
Waldron, who graduated from SMU in 2007, was shot Sunday morning outside the downtown Dallas nightclub, 2026 Ultra Lounge, by an unknown drive-by suspect. She later died that afternoon at Baylor Medical Center.
Waldron, a 24-year-old former member of Alpha Kappa Alpha was described by Rashundra Gamble, Waldron’s little sister of AKA, as someone who was happy in any situation she was in.
“I never saw her sad. I never even saw her cry,” said Gamble.
Waldron held the position of philanthropy chair for the chapter, meaning she was responsible for contacting alumni and seeking their involvement physically and financially.
“Her presence drew you to her,” said Gamble. “She worked in public relations. It was perfect for her because she loved to party and loved to talk to people. She was doing what she loved to do.”
According to Dallas Police reports, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs major was waiting for a friend on a sidewalk on Commerce Street when a blue pick-up truck drove by and randomly fired shots into the crowd, hitting Waldron in the stomach.
Dallas Police told The Dallas Morning News the suspect fired from a truck headed southbound on Pearl Street from an estimated 100 feet away from Waldron. Police responded to the scene at 2:20 a.m., where Waldron was then taken to Baylor Medical Center to undergo immediate surgery for a gunshot wound to her abdomen.
She was pronounced dead at around noon on Sunday. Police reported the former SMU student was not a target.
“During pledging process, she was always the one we could turn to and the one to continue to push us,” said Gamble. “She really took us under her wing to teach us everything. She wanted to make sure we felt accepted.”
Waldron was also a Resident Assistant her senior year in Boaz Hall during the 2006-2007 academic year. Kelly Fordham, now a junior, had Waldron as her RA on the second floor of Boaz.
“Chané was my RA when I was a freshman, and a big part of my getting accustomed to SMU,” said Fordham. “My experience wouldn’t have been the same without her, she will be truly missed and my prayers are with her family. I’ve talked to a lot of people who lived on our floor. Everyone just doesn’t know what to do.”
Police reports have ruled out gang activity, and Dallas Police say there have not been any problems reported at the club Waldron was at. Police are still searching for the suspect and have not received any leads on who is responsible for Waldron’s death.
If you have any information regarding Waldron’s death, contact the Dallas Police Homicide unit at 214-671-3661 or e-mail [email protected].
“Even though this is a really sad time, Chané wouldn’t want everyone to be sad,” said Gamble. “She would want everyone to be happy. She was a happy person. I just want everyone to remember her as she was with her big, beautiful smile.”
