Crime & Safety

Prayer Service Planned for Franco Family Killed in Shooting

Marcela Franco and Carlos Franco were killed in a shooting rampage in Santa Monica. Community vigil planned for 6 p.m. Monday.

A prayer service was held Sunday in honor of a father and daughter killed in a shooting rampage in Santa Monica.

The service, which was also be for those who are recovering in the hospital, was held at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 2017 Colorado Ave. in Santa Monica.

Father Anthony Gonzalez led the service.

Marcela Franco, 26, was surrounded by her family as she died at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Her father, Carlos Franco, was killed instantly as the two were in his car near Santa Monica College on Friday. Carlos Franco was a groundskeeper at Santa Monica College.

An evening memorial may be planned for later in the week, perhaps at Virginia Avenue Park.

A candlelight vigil for the community will be held in front of the Santa Monica College library at 6 p.m. Monday. Organizers have asked participants to bring "a candle and an open heart."

Tuesday's commencement ceremony at Santa Monica College will also serve as a memorial for the people killed.

Police chief Albert Vasquez said school officials were still "putting details together'' about plans for the combined commencement/memorial service, according to City News Service. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at SMC's Corsair Field, the campus football stadium.

Graduating students are still directed to contact their professors about making up missed finals, and are also supposed to attend a mandatory rehearsal at 11 a.m. Tuesday, the school's web site said.
  
A total of five people were killed, plus the gunman, unofficially identified as John Zawahri. He was shot dead by police one day short of his 24th birthday.

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