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Widow Of Slain Network Executive Describes His Death 4 Years Ago As 'Darkest Time Of Her Life'

ENCINO (CBSLA.com) — The widow of an NBC executive fatally shot in 2011 by his friend described his death four years ago as the "darkest time of her life."

In an exclusive interview with CBS2, Kristi Kaplon, who is an advocate for gun safety, spoke out about the event that changed her family in perpetuity.

"I don't want anyone to have to go through what I went through. It was horrific," said Kaplon, whose husband and the father of her children, Brian Kaplon, died after being shot in the chest by his friend, David Armstrong, on St. Patrick's Day. The men were in Armstrong's garage in Porter Ranch looking at guns at the time.

Armstrong pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, saying it was an accident, and was sentenced to seven years in prison. He was also ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution.

In court, a devastated Kaplon shared her grief, saying: "I can only imagine how Brian pleaded with Dave not to kill him."

Kaplon says losing Brian was the darkest time of her life and contemplated killing herself.

"I did not think that I would live to see this day," she said.

But the mother of three says her children have kept her alive. She also remarried a year and a half ago to a man she says has accepted her children as his own.

"I believe that Brian honestly sent him," she said.

Kaplon has not yet explained to her twins what happened to their dad, wanting to wait until they're old enough to understand. They were born soon after Brian's death.

Kaplon has also become an advocate for gun safety hoping her family's tragedy can make a positive difference.

Kaplon also says Armstrong has refused to apologize or accept responsibility for his actions.

Kaplon supports Los Angeles' Gun Buyback, an effort by the city to get illegal and unwanted guns off the street. Click here for more information on the event slated for May 9.

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