Prayer Vigil to Be Held for Infant Killed During Art Walk
Photo of Baby Marcello Vasquez from a memorial flyer placed at the site of Thursday night's Art Walk crash.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A candlelight prayer vigil will take place on Friday evening to mourn the death of two-month-old Marcello Vasquez, the infant who passed away after being mortally wounded during Thursday night's Downtown Art Walk.
A memorial flyer posted at the site of the crash near 4th and Spring said that Marcello was born on May 20.
The prayer vigil will take place at 8pm. It is being organized by New City Church, which meets one block from where the tragic event took place.
“Our hearts are broken for baby Marcello and the family," said Pastor Kevin Haah on Friday afternoon. "I think the community needs to come together to mourn and pray for the family."
Kevin Haah on July 15, 2011, at 02:43PM – #1
The candlelight prayer vigil will be at the site of the accident, SE corner of 4th and Spring, not at the church.
Anthony Costantino on July 15, 2011, at 03:13PM – #2
Did the family request this or just the church by itself? Want to make sure it's not a publicity stunt based on this tragic event.
mifami on July 15, 2011, at 03:54PM – #3
Hi Anthony,
This is planned by the church. It's truly not a publicity stunt as all of us who make downtown our home, are just heartsick over what has happened. In addition, Pastor Haah has been at the New City Church for quite some time now and is very involved in the community.
film rob on July 15, 2011, at 06:07PM – #4
although im a Atheist this seems rt as most would appreciate the support in a situation like this. if anything it shows compassion.
Simon Hartigan on July 15, 2011, at 08:11PM – #5
I too feel bad for the family and wish Spring Street would be reconfigured so the car plays a much smaller role and speeds are drastically reduced as to create more of a community and less of a through street like the freeways around our city. But I can't help to look at this as a publicity stunt by the church.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on July 17, 2011, at 05:38PM – #6
I think it's crass to call this anything other than a heartful response by Kevin or New City. Kevin put out a call to Central Division's clergy council looking for anyone else interested in participating before setting any details, and has spoken to me previously about feeling called to respond to tragedies in the community.
I've also deleted several comments that were about church politics and not about this event. That's off-topic and I believe disrespectful.