Lodi community mourns beloved mom, entrepreneur killed in shooting [Video]

The suspect in the deadly shooting is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.

LODI, Calif. — A colossal collection of candles at a growing memorial in the heart of downtown Lodi can’t begin to match the light that friends of 43-year-old Nicole Winans say she brought into their lives.

“She’s a very beautiful girl,” said friend and former co-worker Crissy Gardener. “And always smiling.”

The last time many friends like Gardener saw Nicole’s renowned smile was Thursday night. Nicole’s car was still parked Saturday where she had left it two days before to watch the annual Lodi Parade of Lights with family and friends.

“We had all just been together the evening prior for the light parade,” said a friend of over 20 years Michael Collins. “It was just a wonderful night.”

A wonderful night turned into a tragic and shocking morning.

“Never in a hundred million years would you think that you would be hearing this news …