San Bernardino Shooting: Candlelight Vigil Honors Victims With Tears, Songs
Thousands of mourners gathered on Thursday night to remember the 14 victims of the deadly shooting rampage that rocked San Bernardino, California, the day before.
A further 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. A cop injured in the shootout “is expected to survive.”
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The vigil was scheduled for 6 p.m. at San Manuel Stadium, at 280 S. E St., 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.
“Heal our City … bring back our peace and joy,” the Pastor told the crowd at the baseball field to begin the night whose theme was “surrounded by love.”
“May You Find Some Comfort Here” is one of the many songs played to the grieving family and friends to portray that message.
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 continued.
Meanwhile, City Attorney Gary Saenz turned the city’s financial problems into a source of strength. “Though we are a bankrupt city and now a terrorized city, we will not be beaten,” he said.
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.
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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.
Also Read: San Bernardino Shooting Victims Identified, Deceased Include Father of Six
The mass killing is likely the most deadly in the U.S. since 26 were fatally shot at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.
The stadium is filling up with people in mourning for #SanBernardino. 6pm vigil not ready to start. @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/ROCq7rI58I — Corin Hoggard (@corinhoggard) December 4, 2015
Multi faith prayer vigil for victims in San Bernardino tonight. Theme is "surrounded by love " pic.twitter.com/xzSl2WhjF6 — Phil Shuman (@FoxPhil) December 4, 2015