Friends and family rally for Daniel Diaz, California youth pastor, shot and killed hours after speaking out against gun violence
Just hours after attending a prayer rally calling for an end to gun violence in the city, California youth pastor was shot and killed in his car.
Daniel Diaz, age 33, was honored by hundreds of people gathering at the intersection where the man was gunned down.
“I heard loud bangs and the broken glass and at that point I realized we’re getting shot at,” said friend Eddie Reyes to CBS News.
Reyes was in the car with Diaz driving from a church party with two younger passengers when gunfire rang out. Diaz was the only one struck.
“I just saw him fighting for his life, gasping his last breath,” said Reyes, who said he tried to help his friend before emergency services responded.
Reyes was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after arriving.
“To the person who did this, if I could see you face to face, I would tell you that God loves you,” said Diaz’s mother, who attended the vigil with her husband David Diaz, also a pastor. “And if you knew my son, my son would have loved you.”
Crime Scene Tape photo/editted pic from FBI.gov
