Second vigil held at Whittier High School for student killed in Paris terror attacks

WHITTIER, Calif. (KABC) -- Hundreds gathered at a second memorial for a Cal State Long Beach student killed in the Paris terror attacks was held at Whittier High School Tuesday afternoon.

Southern Californians were keeping the memory of Nohemi Gonzalez alive as they held the candlelight vigil at 4:30 p.m. at the campus located in the 12400 block of Philadelphia Street in Whittier.

Gonzalez, who was studying in Paris as part of a semester-abroad program when she was gunned down at a Paris bistro on Friday, graduated from the high school in 2010.

Members of the 23-year-old's former cross-country team, along with family and friends, joined together in honor of her life.

"It's really tragic, unfair to all of those people that lost their lives," said Nicollete Gemboa, a friend. "Nobody should have to die that way and that fact that nowadays people have to live in fear just going out because of something like this is insane."

According to teachers and her high school counselor, the Gonzalez was a star athlete and an excellent student.

"...Despite the grief that we all feel so deeply, we want to focus on who Nohemi was and all the joy she brought to our lives," said said Matt Tremper of Whittier High School. "...We will be lighting candles in her honor, symbolizing the light she brought to all of us."

Hundreds also gathered at a vigil for the student at the university campus on Sunday.