ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Stop the Violence Star City plans to hold a vigil Thursday, August 27 to honor the lives of WDBJ7 reporter Alison Parker and photojournalist Adam Ward.
Stop the Violence Star City says they formed this spring as a community response to rising gun violence in Roanoke. WDBJ7 reporter Shane Dwyer covered their first event, and now the community is mourning the deaths by gun violence of two WDBJ7 employees.
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"We send our deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues. We pray for the recovery of Vicki Gardner," said Stop the Violence Star City in a written statement, released on Thursday.
The vigil and call to action for better gun laws will take place outside the WDBJ7 station at 2807 Hershberger Road NW in Roanoke at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Members with Stop the Violence Star City said many in our community have been killed by gun violence this year. Members of the community said they've have barely had a chance to mourn the gun deaths of 3-year-old Isaiah Neiderhiser in Franklin County this Sunday and 2-year-old Aryah Leigh Lipford on July 16th, and yet now are mourning Alison and Adam.
"Too many politicians representing our community in Southwestern Virginia tell us there is nothing they can do to reduce gun violence," said Stop the Violence Star City.
Other events and vigils are also taking place in honor of Alison Parker and Adam Ward throughout the Commonwealth.
On Saturday, September 5, Star City Riders MC is asking for all those who ride to join them in honoring Alison and Adam. They're asking everyone to meet around noon at the Burlington Coat Factory in Roanoke. They plan to take off for their ride at 12:30 p.m. They say proceeds will be donated and divided equally between the Alison Parker Memorial Scholarship at JMU and Adam Wards Scholarship at Virginia Tech.
The Wildwood Civic League will be holding a Candlelight Vigil at Thrasher Park at 8 p.m. Friday. They're asking everyone to bring their own candle.