100 mothers hold vigil to remember Azahel Cruz

Sunday the community came together in Salinas to remember an innocent six-year-old boy who was hit by a stray bullet in an alleged gang shooting.

It’s been five years since the death of Azahel Cruz, Sunday a “100 Mothers Vigil” was held, organized by the non-profit A Time for Grieving and Healing. The vigil was at the East Laurel Pocket Park, now re-named for the boy.

Cruz was stuck by a bullet while he ate a Popsicle in his kitchen on March 23, 2010. Cruz’s mother was at the vigil Sunday and had a message for the community, “Salinas is full of violence and a lot of innocent people are dying and that’s why we’re here. My son was one who inside a home died because of violence,” said Maria Alcantar.

Edmundo Pulido has already pleaded guilty to murder in Cruz’s death as well as one in Castroville. The alleged shooter in this incident, Bernardo Camacho is awaiting trial sometime this week.