The formal community memorial event to honor five Havasu residents who lost their lives after a shooting spree Aug. 28 at a residence in the 300 block of Opossum Drive is set for Sunday in London Bridge Beach Park.

Those who will be honored are Deborah Langstaff, 23; Primo Verdone, 24; Russell Nyland, 42; Ashleigh Nyland, 20; and Broc Kelson, 20.

“I think this is important, it’s a community event. It is for everyone, whether they knew the victims or not,” said organizer Randy Rizzi. “I think it is pretty important to come down there, you know, take an afternoon off, even if you didn’t know them … It’s been pretty rough for everyone in the community,” he said. Rizzi, of Havasu, was a close friend to four of the five victims. He is one of a handful of organizers.

The memorial is a bring-your-own picnic/potluck-style event during which members of the community can share memories and provide a sense of community support for the victims’ family and friends.

Organizers suggest toting lawn chairs, beach chairs, blankets and full picnic baskets — even extra to share with others. The suggested, no-obligation effort is to enhance community togetherness.

Candles for the candlelight vigil that evening will be provided, however organizers are in the dark as to just how many Havasu residents will attend. They are hoping attendees might bring a candle for themselves, if at all possible — even an extra to share with others.

During the event, Pastor Sean Haynes, of Calvary Baptist Church, will lead the memorial service to honor the victims and their families and friends.

“I think that because of the magnitude of this it has involved the entire community. (The memorial event) allows an opportunity that, I think, will help start the healing process … if you didn’t know the victims, you know somebody who knows the victims, or their families. (The memorial event) offers support and we will begin to see some closure and begin to heal from this as a community,” Haynes said.

Two area elected officials, who will be attending the community service, agree the community memorial event marks the beginning of a healing process for the community.

“I think this event is all part of the healing process …we are a strong community and I think that this event will help us to come together as a community and begin to move on,” said Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen.

“(The shooting incident) is a tragedy to the people and families who were directly affected,” said Senator Ron Gould, R-Ariz., who is also a Havasu resident. “(The incident) shattered our feeling of seclusion. These are the things that we see happen in the big city, but this has happened right in our community. It is a little different when we see it in our own neighborhood. You go around town and you can speak to people who knew the victims or their families,” Gould said.

The event will also include photo collages provided by the some of the families who lost loved ones that day.

Donations for the individual families are still being accepted, according to name, at Wells Fargo. There is also an account for all the affected families combined. A contribution-collection station will also be set up at the memorial, organizers said.

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You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.