“There is no one unimportant.”
That’s what Rev. Wayne Riggs said as he delivered the eulogy at the memorial service for three murdered homeless men who were “victims of this unimaginable act.”
More than 50 people gathered Aug. 7 for the memorial service at San Diego’s Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) for Angelo DeNardo, 53, Shawn Longley, 41 and Dionicio Vahidy, 23, who were killed in early July as they slept in isolated areas.
Riggs said the slayings were a reminder to the city’s leaders and everyone to the age old question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Riggs is a retired Navy chaplain and an advocate for the homeless at the Uptown Community Service Center. Also speaking were former Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, MCC Senior Pastor Dan Koeshall and attorney Jude Litzenberger, who teaches the adult Sunday School class that DeNardo attended.
Cyndi Montez and Denni Coslett sang “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” Armond Washington sang “Lean On Me.”
DeNardo had attended MCC for the past two years, but the service was also in memory of the other two slain homeless men who did not have funerals. Two other homeless men were attacked but survived, and police arrested a suspect July 15.
“Not only are we here to remember these lives, but we’re here to celebrate that all life is sacred, uniquely a reflection of God’s presence,” said Koeshall.
“It’s important to be reminded that no one is defined by life’s circumstance, but by God,” said Koeshall. “And God called Angelo and Shawn and Dionicio beloved.”
Litzenberger said Angelo changed her “assumptions about homeless people” by showing her “they can function independently if resources are targeted strategically to what they need.” She said DeNardo was able to function independently as he received Social Security Disability payments, had a cell phone, and a bus pass.
Saldana urged people to “keep the conversation going” about homelessness. “Make sure there are many dwellings for people like Angelo, Shawn and Dionicio,” she said.
Teresa Biery led a litany for social justice in concluding the service. Biery was the MCC member who alerted the church once she discovered DeNardo had been killed July 3.
Jon David Guerrero, 39, has been charged with all three murders and attempted murder of the other two victims. Criminal proceedings were suspended Aug. 2 as he is awaiting a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is mentally competent to be arraigned in San Diego Superior Court.
