The six-year-old boy identified as Stephen Romero who was the youngest victim at the California mass shooting during the Garlic Festival some weeks ago, has been laid to rest on Monday.
Stephen Romero who was one of four people reportedly killed at the California mass shooting, saw about 300 of his friends and family members all gathered to remember him, as he was described as an outgoing kid who loved to dress up as Batman and listen to The Weekend.
According to the report by Associated Press, a small, open white casket was placed at the front of a San Jose auditorium and flanked by enlarged photos of the boy with a quick smile and wreaths of flowers, including one with a Batman logo.
The annual Garlic Festival that usually attracts thousands of people in America and around the world, on July 28th 2019 witnessed pandemonium as a gunman opened fire at the crowd who were having fun, killing four people, including a 6-year-old Stephen Romero.
The shooting also saw about 12 people injured, as the festival which got to its third and final day in Northern California ended in so many tears and sadness with the senseless shooting
The gunman also killed 13-year-old Keyla Salazar of San Jose and Trevor Irby, 25, of Romulus, New York.
Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo, who attended the funeral service, said the boy was later buried at a San Jose cemetery.
“Having attended Keyla’s funeral and a now a little boy’s funeral was one of the hardest experiences I have had as an elected official,” he said.
The boy’s mother, who was also shot at the festival, was at the funeral with a cast on her left arm, Alejo said.
The boy was described by his grandmother as a kind, happy and playful kid who had just celebrated his birthday in June at Legoland in Southern California.
A poster with a photo from that birthday celebration was signed by those at the funeral.
“Stephen, I miss you. Every time I see you, you always give me a big hug. I’m going to miss you a lot. Love, Arlene,” a message read.
Stephen was called “El Romantico” by his uncle because of his good manners, his pressed, button-down shirts and his love of ballads by his favourite singer, The Weekend.
“He wouldn’t leave the house unless he had cologne on,” Noe Romero told the San Francisco Chronicle.