San Diegans from across the county brought flowers, letters, stuffed animals and other remembrances to cover the memorial of a mother of three fatally injured in a mass shooting rampage this past weekend.
The vigil to remember Monique Clark took place just minutes from the poolside site where the gunman, 49-year-old Peter Selis, opened fire onto a group celebrating a birthday party at the La Jolla Crossroads apartment complex on Sunday.
Clark was fatally injured in the shooting. Seven others were wounded in the shooting, some critically. A security guard was shot at, but not hurt, police said.
On Wednesday evening, hundreds came out of honor Clark and those injured in the shooting at a vigil, lining the sidewalks near the apartment complex.
According to investigators, Selis had recently broken up with his girlfriend and called her as he was sitting on a poolside lounge chair, shooting at people.
Friends remembered Clark as a kind and caring mother and friend lost too soon.
"It kills me that she was killed," said Drew Phillips, one of the victims of the shooting. "She just didn't deserve it."
Another friend added, "Monique was a good friend, always positive. This hurts."
Willie Mayo, a friend of the victims, remembered Clark as a loving mother and friend. She had three daughters: a 13-year-old, 11-year-old and 2-year-old.
"She has kids, a little one, maybe like five or six years old. So, very sad," Mayo said. "Monique's a good person too, very nice. So, still trying to take it all in."
Clark's mother said on her GoFundMe page that "the grieving process is fresh, raw, and real."
She went on to say that family and friends lost their loved one to a "senseless, cowardess act of violence."
At the end of the vigil, a request was made by the family that each person in attendance find three strangers who don't have the same color skin as them and say "hello."
A second, multi-faith prayer vigil was held Wednesday at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church for the victims of the shooting. Sandles were displayed to honor each of the injured, as well as the family of the shooter, Peter Selis.
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Clark's memorial service will be taking place Saturday, March 13, at The Rock Church in Point Loma.
Clark's family has set up a GoFundMe. To donate, click here.
