Vigil Aims To Add Personal Connection To Gun Violence

On the heels of one of the most violent years in the past decade, Indianapolis has not seen a slow in murders in 2014.

This weekend, a group is hoping to encourage more people to take action to combat the problem.

Brandon Randall knows it is going to be cold, but the program manager of Public Allies Indianapolis still hopes people come out to a vigil honoring those killed by gun violence.

"The violence is happening during the frigid temperatures, so we should be able to counteract that and go and support and remember and honor those who have died in the same kind of temperature," he said.

Randall knows far too many families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.

But, he says the death of someone he didn’t know inspired him to take action now.

"The idea came from the candlelight vigil that was held at Purdue (following the murder of Andrew Boldt)," said Randall.  "I saw that on the news and was like 'I wish that we as a city could come together for a vigil for all the kids and all the people who have died in our city.'"

The vigil is Saturday at Watkins Park beginning at 7 p.m.  It will last about an hour.

Randall hopes sharing personal stories of loss will be a catalyst in communities being more proactive in fighting against violence.

"The six degrees of separation no longer exists," he said.  "We all know somebody who has been affected because of the violence."

"The passive participation is no longer allowed.  We have to be active and we really have to come together as a community."