Las Vegas

Manhattan Beach Community Gathers to Honor Slain Women Killed in Las Vegas

Rachael Parker, 33 worked for the Manhattan Beach Police Department and Sandy Casey, 35, was a special education teacher for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District

Hundreds of people illuminated the sky with candles and cell phones as they gathered at Manhattan Beach Pier on Wednesday to honor the lives of two slain residents who were killed Sunday in the Las Vegas massacre.

Rachael Parker, 33, a records technician for the Manhattan Beach Police Department and Sandy Casey, 35, a special education teacher for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District both died when a gunman opened fire on thousands of concertgoers.

The Manhattan Beach community packed the pier with candles, support and love for the two fallen community members. Supporters expressed the importance of remembrance in order to heal while other concertgoers present during the mass shooting attended the vigil to reflect.

"It could have been me that they were talking about," Brittany Martinez said in tears as she still wears her concert wristband.

The Manhattan Beach Police Department had their flags at half staff to commemorate Parker. She died on what would have been her 10-year anniversary working with the department.

The community also mourned Casey, who died in the arms of her fiance. He was described as inconsolable at the vigil.

"Sandy was a vibrant, vibrant person," one mourner said.

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