Vigil honors Artesia victims

ARTESIA, Miss. (WCBI) – Over a hundred people come together Friday night to grieve after Tuesday’s deadly shooting in Artesia.

A candlelight vigil was held to honor Demario Snell, Mauricio Lamarcus Nance, and Tyshun Bernard Fields.

It’s one of the worst crime scenes investigators say they’ve had to work.

“It shocked our community. It took us by storm. We’re a very small community, but we’re a very loving community. It really took an impact on our community, but we will bounce back through the help of the good lord. We will bounce back,” said community member Ronnie Randle.

“Right now we’re traumatized, that’s the best way to describe it. You know, we just feel like the community has been rattled, but we’re going to bounce back,” said vigil coordinator Terrica Randle.

Community members say Artesia will never be the same.

“It impacted our future because these were very young men who had a very bright future. People could look up to them, and it really did hurt our community,” said Ronnie Randle.

“We lost three young men who mean the world to us. These are guys who’s faces would light up the entire community when they walk in a room so we’re going to start there and be there for these families,” said Terrica Randle.

Those in attendance said the only way to move forward is through faith.

“The only way we can start to build is here tonight. This is a candle light prayer vigil, like I said. Our community is surrounded in faith. We believe in God, we love on each other, we’ve all went to the same churches our whole entire lives, so we’re starting with that,” said Terrica Randle.

Those that knew the victims say they just want justice for the three men.

“We feel like justice will be served. That’s what we’re looking for. We want justice to be served, and we’re going to rely on God to get us through this,” said Terrica Randle.

“We’re for justice. Our Mayor does a good job of really enforcing justice here in our community and justice is what we’re about here,” said Ronnie Randle.

The community is asking everyone to please continue to pray for the families affected.