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Jacksonville, FL — Only hours after the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced two arrests in connection to the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Heidy Rivas Villanueva and an active search for a third suspect, the community gathered for a vigil in her honor Tuesday evening.
An estimated 150 people turned out, with family, friends, community members, JSO officers, and even strangers all paying their respects to Heidy.
Heidy’s family got emotional as they arrived to see the massive crowd already waiting.
GALLERY: Community gathers for vigil to remember 7-year-old Heydi Rivas Villanueva
Family just arrived. They’re hugging. Many are in tears. Absolutely heartbreaking moment. @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/3jg2CEtNRM
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) August 14, 2018
Massive crowd includes family, friends, community members, #JSO officers & members of the media. @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/aewI6cKLnm
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) August 14, 2018
A priest who addressed the crowd, said, "It's not goodbye, but see you later."
Heidy was supposed to start first grade this week at Sadie Tillis Elementary School. Her family says she loved to paint and to study English. Her father says they hope to hold her funeral in her home country of Honduras.
Heidy 10-year-old cousin was also attending the vigil and was very emotional while speaking to us after we got permission to speak with him from his parents.
"Why did they [shoot] my cousin in the head? She’s innocent! That’s a 7-year-old girl!"
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) August 15, 2018
Heartbroken 10-year-old shares message for all of #Jacksonville after his cousin was shot & killed.
FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:https://t.co/3yw4QveB4c @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/ez7X5JRBWI
Children release white balloons for Heydi. Priest says, “it’s not goodbye, but see you later.” @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/u1MbbmU1ke
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) August 15, 2018
Everyone is lining up now to give Heydi’s parents a hug. The support from the #Jacksonville community has been uplifting for her family @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/JIkZ1BEalC
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) August 15, 2018
Justice Coalition: “Our police are doing an amazing job! Two out of three [suspects]!” Crowd applauds. @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/1mA45nc9fw
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) August 14, 2018
#JSO detectives stand just behind speakers & family. @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/0dFmSno1tJ
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) August 14, 2018
RIP Heidy. pic.twitter.com/ZhEcXLSJlN
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) August 15, 2018
We’ve received clarification from Heidy’s family on the correct spelling of the 7-year-old’s name. When the incident first happened JSO ID’d her with a different spelling and that’s why you have seen her name spelled different ways.
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