Vigil held for man killed in drive-by shooting in Hanford

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) — Family and friends gathered to remember Cruz Avalos after he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Hanford earlier this week.

The 23-year-old was shot on that corner as he returned to work Wednesday afternoon.

A gas station parking lot turned into a gathering place of love and support Friday, just days after that intersection was marked by violence.

Family and friends of Cruz Avalos gathered to pray with candles, balloons and photos of the 23-year-old.

One by one, the crowd hugged and comforted his mother, Veronica Parker.

Alongside his siblings and his girlfriend, Parker shared the joy that her son and his personality brought to so many people.

“It was never a dull day in our house with him. I can tell you that now. He made everyone happy,” Parker said.

“He was full of life, but at the same time an old soul.”

Cruz returned to work Wednesday afternoon at Borba’s body shop, where he has worked for two years.

Parker says he returns home every day to have lunch with his girlfriend and their dogs.

The hopes Parker had for her son’s future were dashed when he was shot while returning from his daily ritual.

“They took him away from us too soon. He was only 23 years old. He still had his whole life ahead of him. “I was supposed to help him plan a marriage proposal, an engagement, a wedding that I wasn’t supposed to do, a funeral arrangement for him,” Parker said.

A 16-year-old was arrested in his death. Just hours later, the same suspect was linked to another shooting.

“We are all hurt because of someone’s stupidity. My baby doesn’t deserve this,” Parker said.

Parker’s hope now is to bring justice to her firstborn.
“I want these people locked up. I don’t want a mother to go through something like that because the grief is unbearable. Unbearable,” Parker said.

Parker says dozens of people at the vigil show how much her son was loved.

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