Students, parents, faculty gather at vigil to remember murdered Arizona teacher
Jan 20, 2017, 12:25 PM
(Twitter Photo)
PHOENIX — Over 400 people came out to mourn the death of a Mesa High School math teacher at a vigil Thursday night.
Students, faculty, teachers and parents gathered around an enlarged picture of Zahner and a podium to speak about the young teacher.
Ryne Zahner, 26, was shot and killed on Sunday while sitting in the backyard of his Tempe home.
@official_mesa #CarryOn Rest in Peace, Mr. Zahner. CARRY ON. pic.twitter.com/dLfJdmtsLZ
— Brian Ishikawa (@carryon1932) January 20, 2017
They played the songs “Go Cubs Go” in recognition of the Zahner’s favorite baseball team and “Africa” by Toto, which was one of his favorite songs.
@official_mesa #CarryOn For Mr. Zahner. CARRY ON. pic.twitter.com/mvsaS4XInI
— Brian Ishikawa (@carryon1932) January 20, 2017
💜💛GoodBye Mr. Zahner 💛💜 #MesaHigh #CarryOn pic.twitter.com/5azOiSJQH9
— Day’ Vee (@DayLaFlor_) January 20, 2017
Police identified 27-year-old Caleb Bartels as a suspect in the shooting. Court records indicated that the two men were roommates.
Witnesses told authorities they saw Bartels flee from the house near Baseline Road and Mill Avenue.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.