Trigz's family, friends hold vigil for slain artist

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Family and friends held a vigil on Friday at the spot where artist Trigz was shot and killed just 24 hours before.

The 40 year old, who owned a tattoo parlor two doors down from the site of the vigil, was inside the Black Derby Smoke Shop on Thursday when he got into a fight with another customer.

The altercation ended with Trigz, whose real name was Mike Pembley, shot dead on the sidewalk of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

"What we need to really focus on is the fact that he is a really good human being and somebody who touched a lot of souls. And that's what needs to be remembered about my friend Mike," said a friend, who was only identified as Ryan.

Trigz's appearance was unique. Tattoos covered his chest, head and much of his face.

"It's very easy to judge a book by its cover. But he was a gentleman. A true gentleman. And he stood by his words and that's what matters most," said Ryan.

Trigz leaves behind a fiancee, who friends say Trigz had already taken to calling his wife, and five children.

"The real tragedy is a family now has lost their father, and he was a wonderful father, and he cared dearly about his family and the people around him," said Ryan.

Ryan said Trigz's story was one of redemption.

"There's very few people in the world that can emanate that much light through all the adversity they've been through. And he's somebody who shined. Shined," he said.

One of Trigz's sons has set up an account on GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses and for Trigz's two young daughters. So far, more than $18,000 have been raised.

Meantime, police say they are still looking for the suspect in Trigz's killing. They describe him as a 25-to 30-year-old white or Hispanic man, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 200 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call North Hollywood police or Crime Stoppers.