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Candlelight vigil held for those killed in Club Blu shooting one year ago

Posted at 11:03 PM, Jul 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-25 06:41:12-04

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- For some, it's hard to believe a full year passed since a barrage of bullets killed Stef'fan Strawder and Sean Archilles outside of what used to be Club Blu. Twelve others were shot and wounded.

Monday evening, songs and prayer helped bring community members together to remember the fallen.

Stephanie White, Stef'fan's mother, organized the candlelight vigil. "Without him it's not the same.  But as you know, I did travel with him and supported him, so I'm still trying to support him and keep his name going," White said.

Stephanie stays in touch with those who were there that night, including Alanna Campbel, who got shot. "I feel happy to be alive but it's just sad to know that other people died," Campbell said. Campbell was rushed to the hospital in the same ambulance as Stef'fan. "I was so scared, I didn't know what to do it was the longest ride of my life."

Though it happened one year ago, it's a day no one who attended the vigil will soon forget. "No guidance is what happened to our kids, so I knew it would be some type of disruption, but not to that level," Keith White, Stef'fans uncle said.

Wednesday, a basketball showcase will be held at Lehigh Senior High School in remembrance of Stef'fan.