Edhat Staff
Photo: Isla Vista Strong
By edhat staff
Isla Vista and UC Santa Barbara scheduled memorial events this week marking the 5th anniversary of the rampage that killed six students.
Five years ago, on May, 23, 2014, six students in Isla Vista were killed and fourteen others were injured in a horrific killing spree. This week, students and Isla Vista residents are hosting their annual memorial and other events to remember those who were killed.
UC Santa Barbara, Isla Vista Strong, and The Beloved Community of Isla Vista organized a memorial walk and vigil titled “We Remember” for Thursday. The community is invited to gather at Storke Plaza at 6:15 p.m. to walk into Isla Vista. They will pause at the Love & Remembrance Garden and continue on to Anisq’Oyo’ Park, where the community gathered for the first-anniversary vigil. The memorial will commemorate the lives lost and will include remarks, music, and opportunities for reflection.
The six students who lost their lives are:
- George Chen (19)
- Cheng Yuan “James” Hong (20)
- Weihan “David” Wang (20)
- Katherine Breann Cooper (22)
- Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez (20)
- Veronika Elizabeth Weiss (19)
Several other memorials and events have been planned this week. This past Saturday, a community table was set up in People’s Park to encourage locals to sit down and break bread as a way to bridge divisions and build community.
On Monday, the community gathered for a roundtable discussion reflecting on the causes and impact of May 23, 2014. On Tuesday a panel of speakers shared their stories of healing and self-care in the wake of gun violence including the Isla Vista Tragedy, the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting in Thousand Oaks, and the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival shooting in Las Vegas.
Also on Tuesday evening, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor from Parkland, Florida David Hogg visited UC Santa Barbara and spoke at Campbell Hall. His “Engage in Change” discussion encouraged students and young generations to become involved in civic leadership and to continue talking about gun violence.
A full list of events can be found here.
Wow, hard to believe it has already been 5 years. I lived by Cottage Hospital at the time and heard all the sirens and ambulances whizzing by. I am glad there is a commemorative event. RIP to all the victims, and may they always be remembered.
No need to include the murderer’s name. Notoriety is one the the motivaters for these types of horrific crimes. Focus on the victims and their friends and families.
They didn’t put his name here, but I consider him a victim in some sense too. Mentally healthy people don’t generally go on murderous rampages.
He was a “victim” of his own arrogance and hate.
MR2 there is a time and a place for that discussion – a post about a vigil remembering the victims is not it. Thank you edhat for removing the name.