Marysville shooting victims mourned at candlelight vigil

MARYSVILLE — They stood shoulder to shoulder. The soft glow from their candles contrasted against the cheerful holiday lights strung around the park.

“Nobody should ever have to walk through it alone,” Nancy Hawley told the crowd. “You are not alone in your grief.”

About 30 people huddled together Monday night at Comeford Park in Marysville to remember the young people whose lives were taken by gunfire at Marysville Pilchuck High School. They also were encouraged to find hope.

Wednesday will mark two months since the violence.

“Whatever pain we bring to this gathering we share,” said Hawley, of Victim Support Services.

The Everett-based nonprofit organizes candlelight remembrance services every December to honor lives lost. Advocates understand that the holidays can be particularly difficult for survivors.

Staff believed it was important to hold a special ceremony to honor those young people who were killed at the high school.

On Oct. 24 a freshman used a handgun to shoot his friends at lunch before he committed suicide. Killed were Andrew Fryberg, 15, and Zoe Galasso, Shaylee Chuckulnaskit and Gia Soriano, all 14. Nate Hatch, 14, is the only victim to survive.

Three girls huddled together Monday night. They are students at Marysville Getchell High School and attended middle school with some of the victims.

“It’s important that we come together and remember them, that we come together to celebrate their lives,” said Katie Felix, 14.

Catherine Konteh is a mom. She doesn’t know any of the families who lost children but she felt compelled to attend Monday’s service. She said she wanted to support the parents. Their children’s lives mattered, Konteh said.

“They’ll be in my thoughts,” she said, reaching for her 11-year-old daughter’s hand.

Hawley urged people to continue to “reach out to each other in love.”

Behind her a business sign read: “MP Strong.”

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.