CLEARLAKE — Nearly 400 people gathered Wednesday night at Redbud Ballpark in Clearlake to remember the life of Skyler Rapp, 4. Skyler was gunned down June 18 at his Clearlake residence. Five others received major injuries in the shooting including Skyler”s mother, Desiree Kirby, who currently remains hospitalized.
Skyler”s step-father, Ross Sparks, 23, who was also injured in the shooting, was present for the gathering.
With the baseball field aglow with hundreds of mourners bearing candles, Pastor Mitch, of Harvest Fellowship, offered the crowd words of condolence and comfort. He commended the mass of people for their support and urged them to refrain from vengeance and retaliation.
“The support you”ve shown and the effort you”ve made to come out here is overwhelming. This says something about the heart of this community,” the pastor said. “Desiree is still in the hospital and she needs our prayers and our positive thoughts.”
The pastor told the crowd that there were two ways to handle the situation. “We can have vengeance or we can do something different ? we can change the atmosphere,” he said. “There are evil forces at work and together, with the power of God, we can change that. We can stop that.”
The pastor called for a show of support for the young life lost. The crowd roared with support with many screaming from the crowd, “We love you Skyler!” Similar reactions accompanied requests for support directed toward Kirby and other victims of the shooting and toward Skyler”s grandmother, Sunni Forney.
“It was freakin” amazing how many people came to the vigil,” Forney said. “I can”t wait to show Desi the pictures and the videos I”ve found.”
The crowd roared again when the pastor said that Sparks had been released from the hospital and was present for the vigil. He asked for support to help lift Sparks up and the crowd erupted with messages of love and compassion.
The pastor was the lone speaker for the evening; however, area artist, Young Trub, shared his new song written in Skyler”s memory. The song spoke of life lost too soon and too young; being in the presence of angels; and pain in missing him. “Skyler, we rock it for you,” Trub sang. Throughout the song, Forney”s voice could be heard telling her grandson that she loves him.
Forney said she thinks this incident has united the community. “This situation has already brought everybody together as a community; even tighter than we already were,” she said. “This was such a senseless act of violence. (The shooters) had to have seen Skyler standing there.”
A trust fund to assist the family has been established in Skyler”s name at Bank of the West; when making donations, please reference account No. 024901900.
Donation collection canisters can be found at several locations within the City of Clearlake as well.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call directly at 994-6444, ext. 14.
