Large Memorial Service Held For Isla Vista Murder Victims
SANTA BARBARA (CBSLA.com) — Classes were canceled Tuesday at UCSB for a day of mourning following a violent rampage that killed six people and injured dozens more.
A memorial service was held at Harder Stadium shortly after 4 p.m. A reported 17,000 mourners attended the service.
Students and staff remembered George Chen, James Cheng and David Wang, all of whom were fatally stabbed at their apartment complex Friday evening by their roommate, Elliot Roger.
Roger, 22, then went on a shooting spree through Isla Vista, killing students Veronika Weiss, Katie Cooper and Chris Martinez, before reportedly killing himself.
The UCSB community is creating a 10,000 ribbon memorial for the victims in addition to a memorial wall that was set up at Pardall Center.
Services will continue throughout the week in Santa Barbara with a Memorial Paddle Out at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at to-be-determined location.
On Thursday, students are encouraged to show their school and community pride by wearing blue and yellow UCSB clothing.
UC President Janet Napolitano has ordered flags at all University of California facilities to be lowered to half-staff through Sunday.
"During this terrible time for our UC community, I ask that you join me in the belief that the process of healing and reflection we will go through in the coming days will draw us closer as a university community. Together, we will get through this," she said in a statement.
Counselors will also be available on campus for students at the UCSB Student Resource Building during the week.
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