09-04-2025
Vigil honors victims of crime in Kent County
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — An annual candlelight vigil and prayer was held Tuesday to honor those in Kent County who have become victims of crime.
Dozens gathered at the 63rd District Court for the vigil, all having lived through the unthinkable — losing a loved one to violence.
The vigil was hosted by Silent Observer and the Kent County Victim Witness Unit. April 6-12 is National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which aims to help all crime victims achieve justice in whatever way they can. This year, the theme is kinship, in an effort to recognize the humanity of crime victims and survivors.
Sheila Hall lost her son to gun violence in June. She told News 8 at the vigil that its events like these that help her continue to grieve.
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'I didn't really want to come, because I didn't really know what it was going to be about. I feel like everybody here we just share the same pain. We got the different children, or sisters or brothers, whoever the victim was,' Hall said. 'I feel some type of relief you know, knowing that we all share the same kind of pain. The rose, it just means life so there is light at the end of the tunnel but where that light is, I don't know.'
While someone has been with her son's killing, she said the pain is still felt every day. Hall said she attended the vigil to be around others who have lived through the same things as her.
'It's a good light, good, sweet sound experience. I am not alone in this battle or in this situation,' she said. 'It's very important just to come out and share and be among the same people who have experienced or are experiencing what you are experiencing.'
Another attendee, Diana Garcia, who lost her granddaughter in September of 2023, came to the vigil to keep her story alive. Vasquez was at a car meetup on Grand Rapids' southwest side, but Garcia said to this day, no charges have been filed.
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'She really was the light of my life, and it was cut so short,' Garcia said. 'I don't always want to remember her dying, I want to remember everyone to remember how happy she was, what a good person she was.'
At the vigil, over 150 names were read to the crowd followed by a bell ringing, as a way to continue remembering. No matter the situation, these families still share the same message: Violence does not have to be the answer.
'This is to honor them, to remember them that unfortunately so many of these young people, I saw so many pictures of young people that were shot by guns by violence, I don't get it. I don't get it,' Garcia said.
'Put the guns down, you might have a little spat or argument, but it doesn't mean that we should take it and destroy or take away a life,' Hall said.
In observance of Crime Victims' Rights Week, The Grand Rapids Police Department's Victim Services Unit is hosting an event called, 'Option and Rights of Crime Victims' on April 9 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the police department. The event will be focused on teaching attendees about victims' rights and options through the civil and judicial processes.
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