Community members lit candles at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in San Carlos on Tuesday to grieve the loss of a 12-year-old boy killed while walking to school.
Both the 350-person main sanctuary and 60-person overflow room were filled at the church, a few blocks from where the collision killed Andrew Olsen and injured his two siblings in the Lake Murray area of San Diego Monday morning.
It was standing room only, as people of all ages filled the walkways, hallways and overflow sanctuary spaces.
“He was just so intelligent, full of energy and a very good conversationalist,” said James Elmore, a family friend. “He came to my birthday party last month, and he was a joy. He’d just walk into a room and the whole place would just brighten up.”
“He was always joining different groups because he had this contagious smile that had a positive effect on everybody,” Elmore added.
Alicia O’Neill and her daughter Aurira, 4, fill out prayer notes. (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The candlelight community prayer service was marked by personal testimonials about Andrew, interwoven with messages of faith and on dealing with grief. In addition to parents and children from the community, the event — which was centered on experiencing loss — was attended by multiple clergy members and school administrators.
“Our entire school community has been deeply impacted by what has happened,” Pershing Middle School principal Melanie Kray said during a tearful speech. “I will do everything I can to support your children through this in the coming days.”
According to Pershing seventh-graders Bennett Kennedy and Ryan Sitz, Andrew was known as a nice kid who got along with a lot of people. The grief in church Tuesday evening was similar to what they’ve seen on their campus over the last two days.
“Everyone has been more quiet, and we’ve seen teachers crying,” said Bennett. “Everything just seems so different.”
Elmore said he grew to know Andrew and his younger siblings after the family had moved in with him a few years ago to help care for Elmore’s terminally ill mother. Elmore, the parents and the community were devastated, he said.
“They work hard, they take care of their four kids, and they’re really nice, good, decent people,” said Elmore.
The Rev. Rebecca Hansen fills out a prayer card during a vigil for Andrew Olsen, 12, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church. (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
While an acoustic rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” played, candles decorating tables at the front of the sanctuary flickered. Attendees held one another, cried and parents explained to their children what was happening.
“I think it’s important for them to see that pain, a lot of the time, requires community,” said Sheilla Alvarez. “Your community is a support system that we all need during the most difficult times.”
The Rev. Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun said that while the family was not a member of the church, the clergy decided to support them and the school, which is located nearby. Sumner-Eisenbraun said she is also the parent of a Pershing student.
“We want to show our kids the strength of our community, the care we feel for one another,” Sumner-Eisenbraun said. “It was hard to see so many kids here, but, at the same time, I’m grateful they got to be together.”
At the end of the service, the Rev. Manuel Retamoza instructed church ushers to light the candles of those sitting along the aisles. The flame was passed down the row until all the candles that attendees had been given were shining.
“What we face is not going to be easy,” said Kray, the school principal. “But we will get through this together.”
Originally Published: October 22, 2025 at 8:56 AM PDT