Candlelight vigil held in Colorado Springs to honor Officer Duzel

While Colorado Springs Police Officer Cem Duzel was fighting for his life after being shot, just blocks away hundreds gathered at Boulder Park Friday evening to pray for his swift recovery.

The park filled with loved ones, friends, and family holding hands as candles lit up the sky.

“We’re rooting for him to get right back up and walk again,” said Melisza Goetz.

The prayers and speeches talked about how Duzel is a man known for his courage to fight.

“If a fellow officer falls, you know we all fall,” said Jeff Kirk.

This all stems from an incident where officer Duzel was shot in the head while responding to a shooting early Thursday morning along Bonfoy Avenue. The accused shooter is 31-year-old Karrar Al Khammasi.

“I’ve just grown up respecting the men and women that serve and protect us,” Wallace said. “This really breaks my heart,” said Lea Wallace.

The group lined with fellow officers standing side by side singing songs of prayer.

“The hardest part is not knowing how it’s going to end,” said Janet Huffor.

Officer Duzel’s siblings joined the entire family Friday night standing by his bedside as he continues fighting.