A candlelight vigil was held Monday evening for a woman who was shot and killed in a Sacramento County apartment complex last week. Loved ones of Orelia Anderson came together to drop off white flowers, candles, and posters of her near her office. "I'm holding up the best as I can.
That sums it up, we're supporting each other as friends and family," said Kimberly Gray, a friend of Anderson. According to deputies, the shooting happened on 66th Avenue near East Southgate Drive in the south Sacramento area last Monday. Emergency medical services were dispatched to Cardosa Village Senior Apartments, the complex where Anderson worked.
She eventually died from complications of her injuries. Dozens of members from the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority came to the vigil dressed in blue. Gray asked the entire chapter to stand behind her as she spoke to KCRA 3 about their sister, who they called Lia.
"The day that she got married. She told us about two weeks before the ceremony. Some of us went to the Rose Garden and watched her marry the love of her life.
And it was just beautiful. I mean, you can't describe it as anything else," said Gray, holding back tears. Residents of the complex, in addition to Lia's sorority sisters, also came out to the vigil.
They all held hands in somber reflection, singing songs of prayer during the vigil. The vigil ended with everyone releasing blue balloons into the sky. "She was a bright light.
She was a social worker. This place meant a lot to her. But she loved helping people and serving her community," said Gray.
Her loved ones are raising money to cover funeral expenses. You can click here to donate. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter.
