Borderline shooting victims, survivors honored with Healing Garden in Thousand Oaks
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Hundreds came together to remember the 12 people who were killed in the deadly mass shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks one year ago.
They were college students, veterans, first responders, fathers, coaches and so much more to their loved ones. A Healing Garden was dedicated to them Thursday at Conejo Creek Park North.
The designated area features 12 stone benches, one for each victim. One year later, the community is still mourning those lost.
The family of Justin Meek gathered to remember their son and brother.
"It's not that we are moving on...we are moving forward," said Roger Meek, Justin's father. "He is looking down on this and he would have loved it."
"It's difficult seeing everybody and being here and talking about everything that happened a year ago but it's also comforting to because there's so much love and so much support and that's with the healing Garden is supposed to be about," said Laura Lynn Meek, Justin's mother.
"This is a community-wide trauma for sure. It shocked everybody and it's a gut punch you don't get up from quickly," said Ventura County sheriff's Captain Eric Buschow. "We're all still dealing with it. It's so raw for the families and just everybody."
Borderline shooting timeline: How the tragedy unfolded
Remembering the victims of Borderline
