KENT, Wash. — Two Kent-Meridian High School students who were killed in separate shootings last week were remembered by family, friends and teachers at a vigil Tuesday.
17-year-old Ali Rohani was shot last Wednesday outside of the BIG 5 sporting store in Renton. A man is facing second-degree murder and assault in that case
The other student, Cristopher Zelaya, was shot and killed in a park near the school last Monday. No one has been arrested in that case.
Students were overcome with emotion at Tuesday’s vigil as they grappled with immense loss in their young lives.
Teachers said this is an awful way for students to end their school year.
Beth Shoemaker and Renee Poitras are math and science teachers at Kent-Meridian.
"It's been a really difficult time because usually, this time of the year is a celebration of our students," said Shoemaker.
They said students, staff, and the community are dealing with a lot of emotions.
"There's also a little bit of frustration and anger too, at the senselessness of each incident," said Poitras.
Two young lives were lost to gun violence and a community was left to figure out how to move on without them.
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