An Inland Regional Center employee, who left work just two hours before 35 people were gunned down in the building’s conference center, is mourning the loss of her coworker, unable to understand why his life was taken.
“My friend is dead. My life is not more valuable than his,” said Valerie Manibusan. She was among 3,500 people who shed tears and lit candles to honor the 14 killed and 21 injured in San Bernardino’s Inland Regional Center (IRC) during a holiday party.
The mourners packed into the San Manuel Stadium Thursday night to share their grief. Manibusan, a case manager at the IRC, told NBC 7 she left work early that day.
When she heard about the shooting, she turned on the news, and many thoughts flooded her head.
“"My coworkers, I was there and then I left, and I'm watching my coworkers on TV going into buses and walking with their hands held high. It's just surreal,” Manibusan said.
Just before she arrived at the vigil, she found out she knew one of the victims – Daniel Kaufman. Manibusan said she saw Daniel nearly every day during her trips to the building’s coffee shop.
Even if those in the crowd did not personally know any of the victims, they all felt a connection to the tragedy.
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“We are part of San Berarndino, California, United States of America, and we’re proud of that,” said Omer Sidiqui.
The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office released the name of those slain in the attack Thursday. Click here to learn more about each victim.
When asked what she wants people to take away from this moment, Manibusan said, "I don't want them to forget. I want them to be aware. I want them to comfort and provide support because people are going to need it."
There was a strong police presence at the vigil, as officers in patrol uniforms and battle fatigues covered the area. The two-hour vigil took place without incident.
