CLEARLAKE — Family, friends and some who said they never met the toddler, gathered Wednesday at Lower Lake High School to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Skyler Rapp. The 4-year-old was the victim of a fatal shooting.
“Skyler had no idea there was this much love for him,” Pastor Chris Massingill said. “The family had no idea there was this much love for them and for you, Desiree; as is evident with all of you in this room.”
Skyler died on June 18 in a shooting incident that left five others seriously injured, including his mother, Desiree Kirby. Three men were taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
About 300 people attended Wednesday”s service with many offering kind words of condolence toward Skyler”s family and the others who were injured in the shooting. Some expressed dismay in that such an unfathomable act could occur in the small city of Clearlake, with one woman saying, “This community really needs to come together. We are all family. We all went to school together and we”re all family whether we”re still here or not.”
Some attendees said they met Skyler only briefly or, in some cases, not at all. “I didn”t know Skyler, but I don”t think I”ve been so broken-hearted,” one man said as he became overwhelmed with tears.
Many shared memories of the child, speaking of his kindness, his energy and his stubbornness at times. “There is no kid I”ll ever meet like him. I love him so much,” a woman said from the podium.
Another speaker indicated that his own life had taken some wrong turns in past. He vowed for a better life from this day forward and expressed condolences toward the family for their loss. While another man spoke of change as well. “I think all of us together can effect change,” he said.
Skyler”s stepfather, Ross Sparks, who was also injured in the shooting, thanked the many in attendance for their support and prayers. “I”ve been Skyler”s dad for the past four years. I love that child like my own,” he said, adding fondly, “He was my little red-headed step-child and I love him and I always will.”
Following the services, members of the OG Riderz Motorcycle Club escorted Skyler”s casket to Lower Lake Cemetery where he was laid to rest. As people said their last goodbyes, many placed mementos on the casket, including roses, bandanas, T-shirts, toy cars and other items Sklyer was known to like.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call directly at 994-6444, ext. 14.
