San Bernardino Shooting Vigil Honors Victims With Tears, Music

Thousands gather at San Manuel Stadium to say goodbye to the 14 people killed in the rampage

Twitter

Thousands of mourners gathered on Thursday night to remember the 14 victims of the deadly shooting rampage in San Bernardino, California, the day before.

Another 21 people were injured when Syed Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, opened fire during a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center on Wednesday at around 11 a.m. PT.

Approximately 21 police officers were involved in the subsequent standoff and pursuit, which left both suspects dead. An officer injured in the shootout “is expected to survive.”

The vigil was scheduled for 6 p.m. at San Manuel Stadium, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced earlier in the day, however, it began late because of the sheer number of people trying to enter the facility.

“Heal our City … bring back our peace and joy,” a pastor told the crowd during the gathering that was themed “surrounded by love.”

“May You Find Some Comfort Here” is one of the many songs played for the grieving family members and friends.

San Bernardino Mayor R. Carey Davis vowed that “this tragedy will not paralyze us or keep us from going forward and growing together as a community,” according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

“When they attack one of us, they attack all of us,” Councilman Rikke Van Johnson added.

The largest mosque in San Bernardino County — the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino — also held a prayer vigil at 6 p.m., the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community announced.

Authorities have now identified all 14 victims, who ranged in age from 26 to 60, with many of them making their livings inspecting restaurants, pools and other public facilities for San Bernardino County.

Among the victims were Michael Wetzel, a 37-year-old father of six; Nicholas Thalasinos, a 52-year-old husband who was a devout Messianic Jew and had been married 14 years, his wife told the Los Angeles Times; and 27-year-old Sierra Clayborn, who began working with the environmental health department in 2013.

Authorities have not ruled out terrorism in the deadly attack, though it’s also possible that the shooting was workplace-related.

Instagram

Comments