“It’s sad that it has to come down to people just picking up guns and shooting each other,” said Janie Edwards, Mother of Isaac Orosco.
SAN ANTONIO — Families gathered Sunday evening at Main Plaza, lighting candles and offering prayers to remember loved ones lost to violence as part of the annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Day.
The event, held every second Sunday in December, honors children and family members who have died and brings together grieving families across the globe at the same hour.
Locally, the vigil was organized by the San Antonio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, combining remembrance with a call for greater awareness of gun violence.
Among those attending was Janie Edwards, whose son, Isaac Orosco, was shot and killed outside his northwest-side apartment in July 2016. His case remains unsolved.
For Edwards, the vigil offers a chance to honor her son’s memory while finding comfort among other mothers who share a similar loss.
“You’re around with people that know what you’re feeling,” Edwards said. “A lot of people don’t understand until you’ve lost a child or lost somebody in this form of way.”
Organizers said the gathering is about both remembrance and prevention.
“It’s crucial that we keep our loved ones in our hearts and keep their memories alive,” said Angie Jehn, a local leader with Moms Demand Action. “It’s tough for people to come out and talk about it, but if that helps save somebody else’s life then they will do it.”
Jehn added that recent acts of gun violence underscore the urgency of the message.
“We don’t have to live like this,” she said. “These situations are preventable.”
Another mother in attendance, Josefina Cannon, lost her 29-year-old son, Sean Cannon, who was shot and killed near Edison High School in October 2013. More than a decade later, his case also remains unsolved.
“It’s extremely important to acknowledge and honor my son’s memory,” Cannon said. “We are still looking for closure and for justice.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gun-related injuries have been the leading cause of death among children and teenagers in the United States since 2020.
Edwards said it is painful to see firearms used to resolve everyday conflicts.
“It’s sad that it has to come down to people just picking up guns and shooting each other,” she said.
Moms Demand Action leaders encouraged community members to get involved locally, safely store firearms, and contact lawmakers to advocate for what they describe as sensible gun laws.