Cal State San Bernardino holds vigil for Las Vegas shooting victim Jordyn Rivera
LA VERNE, Calif. (KABC) -- A special tribute was held at California State University, San Bernardino in honor of one of the local victims killed in the Las Vegas shooting.
The memorial was held Tuesday night in memory of Jordyn Rivera. The 21-year-old was an honors student in her fourth year in the health care management studies program at the school.
Dozens of balloons were released in her honor as hundreds of students, teachers and staff remembered the vibrant young student.
Though many were still grieving her loss, they said the vigil was being held as a celebration of her life.
Rivera and her mother were at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas when gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on concert attendees from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Oct. 1. Rivera was hit and did not survive. Her mother was not injured.
The president of CSUSB Tomas D. Morales broke down in tears as he spoke about his former student.
"Jordyn was special. You couldn't help but believe she was going to have a positive impact on countless lives and throughout the community after she graduated," he said.
The young woman's parents said while they'll miss their daughter dearly, they know she'll be in heaven.
Many loved ones gathered at another vigil for her last week, and many remembered her as a beloved daughter, friend and classmate.
"There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to see her again," said father Albert Rivera. "She's with my dad, all of our family members that have gone before her."
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