Activist group to hold vigil in Townsite Park

By: ANNE RILEY-KATZ - Staff Writer | Friday, August 26, 2005 10:14 PM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- A North County advocacy group has scheduled a vigil Sunday night at Vista's Townsite Park to memorialize three men shot and killed by sheriff's deputies in the last month.

"It's not a rally, just a memorial out of respect and for the community, to remember fallen community members," said Mario Moreno, who works for the Escondido-based Coalition for Peace, Justice and Dignity and helped organize the event. "This is still fresh in our minds, and we want to get to the bottom of this, to get justice. We're still concerned."

Moreno said he expected about 50 people at the gathering, less than the approximate 150 people who attended a rally that the group held Aug. 20. The vigil is open to the public, and Moreno said city and San Diego County Sheriff's Department officials are welcome to attend.

"This is just to let the community know we haven't forgotten," Moreno said. "The city has announced that they are backing the community by requesting an external investigation, and I think our get-togethers have helped bring attention from the city, Sheriff's Department and community."

Fliers for the event were distributed this week via e-mail in Spanish and English. The fliers noted the name of each victim and the date each was killed, and requested that those attending the vigil bring flowers, candles and other offerings.

The coalition also joined other activist groups to host the Aug. 20 rally in the park to decry the shootings.

Community and media attention has been focused on Vista in the wake of the three fatal shootings.

The first incident occurred July 28, when Sergio Vasquez was shot after he allegedly grabbed his roommate, then threw a dumbbell at deputies, hitting one on the arm.

The next night, a deputy fatally shot Jorge Ramirez, a recent parolee and known gang member who was said to be a suspect in an armed robbery that had just been committed. Authorities said he reached into his clothes for what they thought might have been a gun, though he was later found to be carrying a knife.

The third victim, Jesus Manzo, a convicted car burglar, died after a police dog failed to stop him when he allegedly fled from a deputy who, authorities said, wanted to question him Aug. 1 on Newport Drive concerning a vehicle-theft investigation.

The three incidents were unrelated, and sheriff's officials have said race played no part in the shootings.

Though City Council members and local sheriff's officials attended last Saturday's rally in the park, city staff members said city administration officials had no plans to represent Vista at the vigil.

Local sheriff's representatives said Thursday that they were aware of the gathering, but did not know whether any staff members would attend the event, and declined further comment.

Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Brendel said Thursday that the organizers had been issued a permit for the gathering at Townsite Park, based on expected attendance of 50 people or fewer for two hours.

Park usage fees range from $30 to $80 and depend on the number of people at the gathering and the amenities used.

The vigil will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Townsite Park, at the corner of North Citrus Avenue and Townsite Drive in Vista.

Contact staff writer Anne Riley-Katz at 631-6622 or ariley-katz@nctimes.com.