Community holds ‘Night of remembrance’ to honor victims of Boone shootings

BOONE, N.C. — The community had the chance to remember and pay tribute to the four victims of the deadly shootings that happened earlier this week in Boone.

As Watauga County and the High Country continues to grieve the deaths of Michelle and George Ligon, Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox, several local businesses, organizations and citizens have created a Community Night of Remembrance on Monday.

The Watauga County community started the day with a Special Olympics torch run on the campus of Appalachian State University to honor both deputies.

The torch had the names of both Fox and Ward on it. The torch went through downtown Boone and it will eventually end up in Raleigh at the end of the month.

Along the route Monday morning, Channel 9′s Dave Faherty spotted blue lights turned on at homes and businesses as residents showed their support for local law enforcement.

People could sign up to receive information about a special kit that included a blue LED lightbulb to honor the fallen deputies as well as the hundreds of law enforcement officials and first responders from across the state that helped during the tragedy. Organizers said they passed out nearly 3,000 blue bulbs.

The kit also included a red ribbon to honor George and Michelle Ligon.

A small number of lights stands were available, on a first-come-first serve basis, for businesses that do not have a traditional light socket outside of their location.

The kits were available to those that signed up on a first-come-first-serve basis and were available free of charge, thanks to the generosity of several local businesses, including Consolidated Electrical Distributors of Boone, Creekside Electronics, local civic organizations, and numerous community members.

The Night of Remembrance was coordinated along side the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Boone Police Department, municipalities throughout Watauga County and the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center.

(WATCH: Community mourns loss of victims killed in Boone shootings)

Community mourns loss of victims killed in Boone shootings

Cox Media Group