Families lift voices, candles to honor victims of Halloween shooting

A crowd of family, friends and neighbors gathered at Shooks Run Park Tuesday night to remember the three victims of the last year’s Halloween shooting.

On Oct. 31, 2015, Noah Harpham went on a shooting rampage near downtown. During his spree, he shot and killed Christy Galella, Jennifer Vasquez and Andrew Alan Myers before dying in a shootout with police.

On Nov. 1, 2015, the community gathered for a vigil at Shooks Run Park. On Tuesday, they gathered in the same place. This time, Christy Galella’s mother, Vanessa Rich, hoped to share a different message.

“The fear needs to leave the neighborhood and bring back a celebration of their lives and not fear anymore, we don’t have to be scared anymore. There is no one out there,” said Rich.

During the vigil, Rich and several others spoke before a moment of silence for the victims. After, the passed around candles and sang “Amazing grace.”

“It feels amazing because I know this is what my mom would want, a good celebration for her because she’s celebrating time,” said Andrea Martinez, Jennifer Vasquez’ child.

Martinez said it’s been a tough year since Vasquez’s death.

“I spiraled, I went downhill, I hit rock bottom. But if I didn’t it wouldn’t be where I am at today. Because after I found God, my faith began to grow more and more,” said Martinez.

At the vigil, Martinez and Rich saw each other for the first time in a year. They hugged each other for a long time.

“It felt amazing. She was going through the same thing we were going through. It felt good to have her be our support system and we’ll be here for here,” said Martinez.

Neighbor Melany Porter said she hopes people don’t forget this tragedy and they remember to stay connected to their neighbors.

“I think we as a community need to take care of each other at all points in time. Take care of our neighbors, love connect. Always be there for each other,” said Porter.