Vigil held in Chino Hills for Isla Vista shooting victim Katie Cooper

Thursday, May 29, 2014
Vigil held for Isla Vista victim Katie Cooper
A candlelight vigil was held in Chino Hills for Katie Cooper, one of the UCSB students killed in Isla Vista last week.

CHINO HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Friends and family members of Katie Cooper, one of the UC Santa Barbara students killed in Isla Vista last week, gathered at a candlelight vigil in Chino Hills Wednesday night.

Through prayer and song, about 200 people came together to remember Cooper.

"Someone's gone right now that shouldn't be gone. It's not fair," said Alexandria Ramirez, Cooper's high school classmate. "We'll always be here for the Coopers to let them know that they're loved and that Katie was a great girl."

Cooper was just weeks away from graduating with a degree in history. The 22-year-old was fatally shot outside her sorority house.

Her father, Dan Cooper, said his daughter was escorting her friends home the night of the shooting. He urged those in attendance not to harbor hatred toward the alleged gunman, 22-year-old Elliot Rodger.

"I really appreciate the positive attitude the family brought forward, showing not hating but feeling sorry for the individual that did this," said Chino Hills resident Peter Rogers, who attended the vigil.

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