Hundreds of people of all faiths and ages held a vigil Friday night in Elk Grove at the spot where two elderly Sikh men were gunned down during their afternoon walk.
A few feet from where Surinder Singh, 65, and Gurmej Atwal, 78, were shot on the afternoon of March 4, religious and community leaders offered condolences to the victims' families and called for justice.
Singh was killed by a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Atwal suffered critical injuries and is still hospitalized.
Sikh community members, who fear the shootings were a hate crime, urged stronger understanding of the Sikh faith. The gathering of about 500 people lit candles at sundown.
"It feels good that there's so many people that can support us," said Navi Kaur, the granddaughter of Surinder Singh.
"It means we are united," said Gurmej Atwal's son Kamaljit Atwal.
Police blocked off East Stockton Boulevard near Geneva Pointe Drive to accommodate the interfaith vigil.
On paper covering a table in the street, people wrote messages to the victims' families.
"This is what the Elk Grove community is about – coming out and supporting one another," said Elk Grove Mayor Steve Detrick.
Singh's funeral, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at North Sacramento Funeral Home, 725 El Camino Ave.
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