Photos by Nikki Edwards, Vinny Lupo, Elliot Whitehead and Kevin Wu
With candles, flowers and masks, the Boulder community rallied for two vigils in remembrance of the 10 victims of the Monday, March 22 mass shooting at the Table Mesa King Soopers.
On Wednesday, March 24, hundreds of people gathered on Pearl Street at the Boulder County Courthouse to listen to community members and local representatives. The light of the Boulder Star—which is typically lit only during holidays and once last year to mark the start of the COVID-19 pandemic—was in sight to honor the victims.
The Salvation Army provided warm beverages and snacks to people in attendance. There were multiple performers, including Tom Yaron, Kyla Witt, Joseph Howe, Anna Chensney and Alex Tocco.
The Boulder City Council event coordinators opened up the discussion for anyone who wanted to speak. “I just never thought it would happen here,” one attendant said.
The following day, a candlelight vigil held at Fairview High School—a mile from the crime scene—was organized by the local chapter of Moms Demand Action, a national organization that advocates for stronger gun laws to reduce gun violence.
Thursday’s service began with a performance of “Amazing Grace” by Boulder native and Fairview High alumna Taylor Denay, who graduated in 2010. Another former Fairview student, Ayesha Row, said, “That grocery store has been a cornerstone of the south Boulder and Fairview community for as long as I can remember.” Row is a founding member of Students Demand Action, a nonprofit organization that advocates for gun reform.
Cedric Zeller, also a Fairview alumnus, is currently a evolutionary biology student at CU Boulder. He was there to support the essential workers at King Soopers.
“Over my 20 years of living here, I have developed a pretty deep relationship with a lot of those people,” Zeller said.
He notes that three years ago, he and other Fairview students held a walkout in honor of the Parkland High School shooting.
“Coming out and having signs doesn’t really make a difference, but it’s important to show people that we care and that we’re here, and that the community of people who care about gun [control] and protecting people is far greater than the people who want to harm us,” Zeller said.
The aftermath of the Boulder shooting is something the community continues to grapple with. For Isabella Vinsonhaler, the event coordinator for the March 24 vigil, the event was an opportunity to begin the healing process.
“It was honestly so heartwarming to see how quickly and strongly the community came together,” said Vinsonhaler. “I never expected the vigil to be so impactful but I am so glad it was, a lot of healing took place.”
