The mood was somber Friday night when friends and family gathered at the site where Derrick Gann – a 19-year-old Manteca resident – was gunned down on Tuesday, July 27. He was later pronounced dead at Doctors Hospital in Manteca.
More than a hundred people turned out in the parking lot of the Farmer’s Insurance Agency next to the 7-Eleven for a candlelight vigil. Roughly a dozen motorcycles lined the parking lot to show solidarity in supporting the family, and the father of the deceased young man – also named Derrick Gann.
Pastor Wade Williams of Victory Christian Church in Tracy led a spirited commemoration of the young man who hadn’t even yet begun to live the life that most people get to enjoy – but noted that the turnout showed that in his 19 years he touched many lives and impacted those in attendance.
“We won’t let anything else happen because of the love that we have for this community and its residents,” Williams said. “We’re all here because of how special this young man was, and I say this because he lives within our heart.
“It’s a shame that this happened. But it did happen. The question you have to ask yourself is, what kind of legacy are you going to leave? I’ve heard young men say that they’re going to do this or do that, but what kind of legacy would that leave?”
Gann’s aunt, Lisa Colon, said she was impressed by how many people turned out to show their support while standing with her two sons.
“I was surprised when I saw how big the crowd got,” Colon said, breaking down in tears momentarily before being comforted by son Aaron. “All of these people knew him and loved him and are here to support him.”
Danielle Pierce – the longtime girlfriend of Gann’s father – said she wasn’t at all that surprised by the turnout considering the type of young man that they were there to commemorate.
“It was kind of expected, and it was very kind for all of these people to come out and show support and solidarity,” Pierce said. “It really means a lot to the family that so many people care.”
Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at P.L. Fry & Son, 290 N. Union Road. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More than a hundred people turned out in the parking lot of the Farmer’s Insurance Agency next to the 7-Eleven for a candlelight vigil. Roughly a dozen motorcycles lined the parking lot to show solidarity in supporting the family, and the father of the deceased young man – also named Derrick Gann.
Pastor Wade Williams of Victory Christian Church in Tracy led a spirited commemoration of the young man who hadn’t even yet begun to live the life that most people get to enjoy – but noted that the turnout showed that in his 19 years he touched many lives and impacted those in attendance.
“We won’t let anything else happen because of the love that we have for this community and its residents,” Williams said. “We’re all here because of how special this young man was, and I say this because he lives within our heart.
“It’s a shame that this happened. But it did happen. The question you have to ask yourself is, what kind of legacy are you going to leave? I’ve heard young men say that they’re going to do this or do that, but what kind of legacy would that leave?”
Gann’s aunt, Lisa Colon, said she was impressed by how many people turned out to show their support while standing with her two sons.
“I was surprised when I saw how big the crowd got,” Colon said, breaking down in tears momentarily before being comforted by son Aaron. “All of these people knew him and loved him and are here to support him.”
Danielle Pierce – the longtime girlfriend of Gann’s father – said she wasn’t at all that surprised by the turnout considering the type of young man that they were there to commemorate.
“It was kind of expected, and it was very kind for all of these people to come out and show support and solidarity,” Pierce said. “It really means a lot to the family that so many people care.”
Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at P.L. Fry & Son, 290 N. Union Road. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
