Seven days after at least one gunman opened fire on a Halloween-themed birthday party, killing three men and wounding nine other people, monks came to perform a ceremony at the home.
The Buddhist ceremony is meant to cleanse the home and help the souls of the men who died move on, according to Chhang Song, who was at the ceremony and spent 20 years in a Buddhist temple.
As one monk, Sireysakayamuny, sprinkled water on the spots where the three men died, the backyard, inside the home and on the people in attendance. Four other monks chanted. Song said the monks were blessing the home and telling the souls of the men something to the effect of “life is temporary and changing.”
“This commemoration assures them that they’re leaving us and you love them, but they have to go on to the next life,” Song said.
In Cambodian tradition, the spirit and soul of a person stays where they died until they “know they passed away,” said Sithea San, chairwoman of Cambodia Town, Inc.
“They can go on now,” she said.
Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna, Mayor Robert Garcia, 2nd District Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce and Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell were all in attendance for the ceremony, each speaking a few words in support of the families affected by the shooting.
“We will forever be here for you guys, not just today,” Pearce told the family who lives at the home.
Police still have not announced any new leads or updates in the case.
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