Slain firefighter Tory Carlon remembered with benefit concert to help family left behind

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Monday, July 12, 2021
Benefit concert planned for family of slain firefighter
In an effort to keep his memory alive, firefighters and the city of Santa Clarita are turning a two day music fest into a benefit concert for slain colleague Tory Carlon's family.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- It's been just over one month since the tragic shooting of L.A. County firefighter Tory Carlon. He'd served his community for more than 20 years.

Carlon was shot and killed by a fellow firefighter who then went on to take his own life.

The wounds are still fresh for those who knew him and loved him.

"June 1st, obviously our lives changed forever. We lost a great friend, colleague, family member, father, you name it. Each day that goes on gets a little bit easier but obviously it's a roller coaster of emotions," said L.A. County Fire Department Capt. Zach Cates.

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Loved ones and colleagues from the L.A. County Fire Department gathered at the Forum in Inglewood Thursday to bid farewell to firefighter Tory Carlon, who was fatally shot by a fellow firefighter inside the agency's Agua Dulce station.

The city of Santa Clarita ,where Carlon's family lives, is feeling a collective grief.

"We kiss our families goodbye and go to work for two, three, sometimes four days. There are some inherent risks we know we're going to encounter. The tragedy that happened in this circumstance, couldn't even fathom," said Pasadena Fire Capt. Manuel White, who is also the co-founder of the Santa Clarita Soundtraac Music Fest.

So in an effort to keep his memory alive and show support to Carlon's family, firefighters and the city turned a two-day music fest into a benefit concert.

On Aug. 7 and 8, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Wilson Philips, Plain White T's and the Dazz Band are just a few headliners of the Santa Clarita Soundtraac Music Fest. It will be located at the city's Central Park.

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The daughter of the firefighter who was killed at the Agua Dulce station graduated from high school Thursday, wearing her father's firefighting jacket as she tearfully received her diploma.

"If we annually can come together at this event to honor Tory, that's a way to keep his legacy on. And also show support of his family. The fire family, it's a powerful thing. We're all branches off of the same tree," White said, smiling.

If you buy a two-day ticket and enter the promo code SCMF10, $20 from your ticket will be donated to the family.

"Come on in, contribute. Be part of this effort to help the family and while you're at it have a great time at our concert," Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda urged.

For more information, visit www.soundtraacmusicfestival.com.

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