Hair salon reopens after mass shooting

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SEAL BEACH, Calif., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Salon Meritage, the California hair styling salon where eight people were shot and killed a year ago, is open again for business, its new owner said.

The renovated Seal Beach business reopened Sunday, and Sandi Fannin, wife of former owner Randy Fannin, who died Oct. 12, 2011 in the shooting rampage, said "This is a hard day. He [Randy] would be very proud of this," noting the salon's return is a symbol that "good wins out over evil."

Scott Dekraai, former husband of one of the hair stylists killed, will be charged with eight murders and one attempted murder in a trial scheduled for March. Dekraai also faces numerous civil lawsuits from a surviving victim, victims' families and insurance companies, the Orange County (Calif.) Register reported Monday.

Sandi Fannin, who sold the business to 14-year Salon Meritage employee Irma Acosta, is one of six employees returning to work.

"All we wanted was to stay together as a team, as a family," said Acosta at the reopening celebration.