By Hannah Saunders
Editor’s Note: Chris Rojas has photographed for TtS in the past.
JULY 28 1:39 p.m. UPDATE: at about 2:30 p.m. yesterday, after word of the silent community vigil had already spread, several community members called upon Seattle residents to attend a candlelight vigil at the International Fountain at 8:30 p.m. These community members include Arron Murphy-Paine, David Long Jr., Terrell Elmore, Dr. James E. Sears III, and Deaunte Damper.
UPDATE JULY 28 8:30 p.m: Crystal Alexander of Community Passageways commented on TtS‘s Instagram post, stating that it did not organize the vigil, invite elected officials or media, bring microphones, or speak at the event. Alexander said the organization’s goal has been to support community during this painful time, rather than themselves.
“We also understand and respect that everyone grieves differently. We recognize there were different groups honoring the lives that were lost, and we’re glad each was able to create the space they felt was most meaningful,” Alexander said.
“There is room for everyone to grieve in a way that best honors their loved ones. Our intention has never been to disrespect anyone or seek attention through another family’s tragedy. We work alongside families and young people impacted by violence every day, and we remain committed to showing up with compassion, humility, and respect.”
Ashley Whitehead, Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, and Junior Cee Nico Semo have died from their injuries sustained at the July 26 Seattle Center shooting, and four more are recovering. Yesterday, community member and photographer Chris Rojas organized a silent community vigil at the International Fountain, which was commandeered by Community Passageways, who brought in police and local elected officials.
Rojas published the event on his social media page, and TtS reported on it first thing the morning of July 27. The Seattle Center Instagram account got a hold of the news, and made an announcement.
“We are aware of the community-led vigil taking place this evening at 8:30 p.m. at the International Fountain to honor the victims of yesterday’s tragedy,” it stated. “The City of Seattle will also host a community vigil on Wednesday evening. We will share additional details as they become available.”
Nowhere on social media did Community Passageways, Mayor Katie Wilson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, or Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes— all of whom spoke to those who gathered for the silent vigil— post about this separate vigil. They merely showed up and inserted speakers. Rojas’s vigil was held on the North side of the fountain, while Community Passageways held its one on the South side, which received much of the media and community’s attention. Some speakers were heckled by attendees, as some were upset that the vigil included speakers following TtS‘s no speaker announcement.
Rojas described the silent vigil as a calm reflection and healing period. The Seattle Center also turned the fountain lights to the lowest setting.
Who is Rojas and why did he organize the silent vigil?
Rojas is a photojournalist and activist who has experience organizing protests with Indivisible Seattle and No Kings, among others. He’s also a survivor of gun violence.
“As an 11 year-old, I was shot at in a drive by while out on a walk with my mom, they missed and came back at us firing again as I watched my mom trapped between two fences. I felt like we were being hunted,” he said.
Rojas described his experiences of being afraid to leave his house, looking for cover in case gun shots were to ring out, walking on the outer portion of the sidewalk to protect friends from any drive-by shootings, and looking out for cars with open windows.
“This vigil is for those who died yesterday and everyone who lost a little bit of that light behind their eyes, but for me personally, it’s the kids. It’s not the pain of knowing how long it will take for these kids to return to ‘normal,’ it’s the sadder reality that in America, this is accepted as ‘normal,’” Rojas said.
Community Passageways
Community Passageways is a nonprofit focused on restorative justice and incarceration alternatives for youth. Its work includes youth violence prevention, intervention, stabilization, and reintegration.
At a press conference yesterday, Mayor Wilson reported that Community Passageways is contacting people who were impacted by the shooting to offer further support, and that it would be holding an emergency meeting to “assess the possibility of retaliation, identify ongoing safety concerns, and help the people involved navigate those risks.”
A community member who attended last night’s vigil noted how a member of Community Passageways approached them to inform them that one of the alleged shooters was a teenager they were servicing. TtS cannot independently verify that report.
TtS contacted Community Passageways for comment several times before publishing. Four out of five phone calls were immediately sent to voicemail, and emails were opened and ignored ahead of publishing.
Supporting families
Several GoFundMe pages have propped up to support those who were killed during the tragic shooting. Whitehead, 56, is described as a lover of art, life, and family, and was waiting in a line for cotton candy with her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law.
“She was shot and, despite surviving long enough to exchange heartfelt ‘I love you’s’ with her eldest daughter, passed away during surgery at Harborview,” according to the GoFundMe.
Villalba has tragically left behind three children and a wife, who are now facing funeral expenses and financial strain, as Villalba was the primary provider in his family.
“His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, and everyone who knew him remembers his gentle spirit and willingness to help others,” according to the GoFundMe.
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