Two vigils Wednesday evening memorialized the lives lost to violent crime in San Joaquin County, including the four victims of a mass shooting over the weekend.

An annual candlelight vigil, organized in part by the District Attorney’s Office, was held at Weber Point. The tribute typically honors community members who have died under violent circumstances. But this year’s observance was especially timely and included four new victims: three children and a young man all gunned down in a hail of bullets four days earlier.

Those in attendance were invited to place ornaments on a tree in memory of lost loved ones and participate in a “march of lights” to symbolize hope and solidarity.

A person in a cap and jacket stands near a wall adorned with many string lights and ornaments, creating a festive and warm atmosphere at night.
Moses Zazueta, 14, places an ornament on a memorial tree for his mother, Belen Zazueta, during an annual candlelight vigil at Weber Point for victims of violent crimes. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)

Kevin White, a member of the Victims of Violent Crimes of San Joaquin County Support Group, which co-hosted the event, said the organization was created in 2002 to help people who’ve lost loved ones to violent crime.

“We tell people it’s a great club that nobody wants to be a part of,” he said, adding how pleased he was with the turnout of about 100 mourners. “We’re so blessed that you are out here tonight — that you are not just curled up in a dark place somewhere, but you can meet people who have been through the same thing.”

In his remarks, Freitas choked up as he addressed the most recent tragedy, pledging his office’s commitment to holding those involved in the attack accountable.

“During the holiday season, our city is dealing with profound loss and grief,” said Freitas, whose Victim-Witness program also helped plan the event. “The senseless act of violence that has taken place has shaken us to the core. To the community I serve, and to every parent who will never again hear their children’s voices, to every family member and friend that carries an ache with no name, I say to you tonight: We see you. We grieve with you, and we will never stop honoring those that you love.”

Jose Arroyo participated in the ornament-hanging ceremony, in which families stepped forward to name their loved ones and add a personalized ornament to the tree. He said his half-brother Richard Galindo, 30, was killed Aug. 30 in a shooting on east Main Street in the city’s Park District. 

“We think they were aiming for the guy that he was talking to because my brother and I had no problems with anyone,” Arroyo said. “We were close. He was my baby brother.”

A group of people are walking at night holding lit candles on a city sidewalk. The scene conveys a somber, reflective mood, with streetlights illuminating the path.
Community members march Wednesday down El Dorado Street in Stockton during an annual candlelight vigil and march to remember victims of violent crime. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)

Later in the evening, Greater Christ Temple hosted a citywide prayer vigil near the site of Saturday’s mass shooting. Led by Bishop Troy Dockery Sr., the service focused on Stockton’s recovery in the wake of the massacre, with prayers, songs and discussions on mental health support.

“This is not the time to be divided. This is not the time to fight over what political sideline you may be on,” Dockery said. “This is the time that we come together, at least on one thing — and that’s healing for the city.” 

Associate Pastor Geneva Haynes said the evening’s service came about because of the Dockery’s vision to pray for Stockton and its residents after four young people were killed at a child’s birthday party. The attack, which authorities have described as targeted, claimed the lives of 8-year-old cousins and Stockton third-graders Journey Rose Guerrero and Maya Lupian; 14-year-old Amari Peterson, a multi-sport star from Modesto; and 21-year-old Susano Archuleta, who went to the party with a friend, his aunt said.

“We’re not going to pray long, but we’re going to just ask God to come into our midst and to cover our city,” Haynes said. 

  • A person in a red coat and scarf admires glowing ornaments hanging on strings against a dark, festive background, conveying a warm holiday spirit.
    Valentina Cisneros places an ornament for husband Raymond Rodriguez, who was memorialized at Stockton’s annual vigil for victims of violence on Wednesday. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)
  • A speaker in a gray shirt stands at a podium with a microphone. Behind him, a large screen reads "Christ Temple" and "Citywide Prayer." An audience is visible in the foreground.
    Bishop Troy Dockery Sr. prays Wednesday during a citywide service at Greater Christ Temple in Stockton in honor of the mass shooting victims. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)
  • A speaker addresses a crowd under a canopy adorned with string lights. Attentive people stand around in the dim evening light, creating a warm, focused atmosphere.
    San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas addresses the families of violent crime victims and others who gathered Wednesday at an annual candlelight vigil memorializing those who lost their lives. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)
  • A speaker on stage addresses an audience during a citywide prayer event. The backdrop reads "Greater Christ Citywide Prayer." The atmosphere is solemn.
    Former Stockton Vice Mayor Kimberly Warmsley addresses the congregation at Greater Christ Temple on Wednesday during a citywide prayer service for victims of a mass shooting. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)
  • A man speaks at a podium under a tent adorned with string lights during an evening event. A projection behind shows his image. The atmosphere is formal.
    Kevin White, a member of the Victims of Violent Crimes of San Joaquin County Support Group, speaks during an annual candlelight vigil at Weber Point in Stockton on Wednesday. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)
  • A diverse crowd gathers in a park at night under string lights, holding candles. The mood is peaceful and reflective, creating a sense of community.
    About 100 people gather Wednesday night at Weber Point for San Joaquin County’s annual candlelight vigil honoring victims of violent crimes. (Photo by Vince Medina/Stocktonia)

Dockery said that in times like these, “we need to go back to our faith.” He urged the faith community to “have a voice in what is going on in the city” and to help all families affected by violent crime.

Kimberly Warmsley, a clinician and former vice mayor, said addressing the toll the most recent violence has inflicted on residents’ mental health is important. She spoke of the long-term effects of trauma, referencing the 1989 Cleveland School shooting, in which five elementary-schoolchildren were killed.

“As we watch this tragedy unfold, there’s a lot about Crime Stoppers and reporting, which is all good,” Warmsley said. “But I’m also concerned about the trauma that these children and these families have experienced. So as a social worker, it’s important to me that they have all of the services they need.”

Families of the victims are preparing for funerals as the investigation continues, with community members expressing a shared sense of loss and a need for collective action.

Colethis Banks, who brought her two children to the vigil, said it was important to her that her kids get the right message.

She noted how the shooting was being talked about on social media and said she wanted them to have accurate information, away from the torrent of victim-blaming, racist stereotypes, misinformation and dismissive commentary that has spread across neighborhood pages, comments sections and social media threads.

But more importantly, she said, “I want to make sure they know to find thankfulness and peace everyday.”

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