BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Candles, balloons and prayers filled the front of Independence High School as Bakersfield residents gathered for a vigil honoring 17-year-old Levi Brown, who was shot and killed at a football game on campus just days earlier.
Family and friends held a vigil at Independence High School following Friday’s shooting. The victim, 17-year-old Levi Brown, was remembered and honored by loved ones during the vigil. KBAK/KBFX.
The football field was quiet during the vigil, as people who knew Brown’s family and others who did not came together to grieve and to call for change.
“We should be able to gather without being in a situation like this,” said D’Andra Jones, one of Brown’s godmothers.
Jones said Brown’s mother is still grieving and did not want to speak on camera. Jones described the family as being “in a lot of pain, a lot of grief,” adding, “The mother is very, very hurt behind all this.”
Jones said the turnout from across the community was a reminder that Brown’s family is not alone.
“It makes me feel good that we have the support because once all this is over, she’s going to be by herself. But then she’ll still have the family support,” Jones said.
Family and friends held a vigil at Independence High School following Friday’s shooting. The victim, 17-year-old Levi Brown, was remembered and honored by loved ones during the vigil. KBAK/KBFX.
Community organizations also attended the vigil to offer support and resources. Rodney Washington, who has spent about 25 years working with families in Bakersfield, came to offer comfort and to let people know resources are available beyond the vigil.
Mothers Against Gang Violence was among the groups present. Its president, Xenia King, said the organization has spent eight years working to prevent gang, gun and domestic violence.
“No one wins. We have a child that’s been murdered. We have another one that’s going to prison,” King said.
King said the shooting happening at a school left her feeling “scared for our kids. Scared for our future. Hurt. Pain.”
“We want to bring safety to our communities and to our families. We don’t want our families living in fear… so where are our kids really safe?” King said.
King said the message cannot end with one night, and that preventing another family from holding a vigil like this will take the entire community.
Family and friends held a vigil at Independence High School following Friday’s shooting. The victim, 17-year-old Levi Brown, was remembered and honored by loved ones during the vigil. KBAK/KBFX.
“But it won’t stop happening until we become that village. That village. And I mean everybody. Everybody in Bakersfield needs to come together. We need a village to stop this. This is a problem. A serious one,” King said.
Several organizations said they will continue providing resources and support to families affected by violence.
The community response is expected to continue tomorrow, when Independence High School students plan to walk out after first period. Students said they will gather at the football field to honor the life lost, speak out against gun violence and call on the Kern High School District for actionable campus safety measures.