When I was heading to the candlelight vigil for car wreck victim Jamira Barley last Friday, I had a lot on my mind.

I was mentally preparing myself for the intense, emotional conversations known to come when interviewing families and friends who just lost a love one. No matter how often I’ve conducted similar interviews with others, it’s never easy.

I was contemplating which questions would give me the material I needed to produce a story that would show just how much Barley meant to so many in the community.

And I was fretting about how my horrible sense of direction caused me to be late to a vigil for an Orrville teen whose unfortunate death has pained so many.

At no point was I concerned about a shooter appearing at that same vigil, an incident I missed thanks to God’s much-appreciated blessing.

When I arrived at the vigil, I instantly learned many of its attendees were scared off by a young shooter. Like many people there, I was shocked and disgusted by it.

On my trip back to Selma, I kept saying to myself that there was a shooting at the vigil in disbelief.

It was the lone thought I had on the way back to the office.

A week has passed and the scenario still baffles me.

A shooting alone evokes all types of unpleasant reactions, but I’m especially horrified to know it occurred at an already somber ceremony meant to honor a young woman whose life was taken so early.

People gathered Friday to reflect on the life of Barley, only to have that moment tainted by a heinous act.

I can’t help but think about how this has hurt Barley’s father Willie Marlon.

I could tell by his tears, broken voice and sweet words about his daughter that the loss is really difficult for him.

Friday’s nights shooting easily dampened what was supposed to be a respectful night of reflection on “daddy’s girl.”

Violence plagues this community in a way I’ve rarely seen. To disrupt a tragic, vulnerable moment only to cause more chaos and anguish is inexcusable.

This shooting situation has been amongst the most frustrating news I’ve heard in this area.

The only thing that can make the situation slightly better is if the judicial system can convict the individual responsible for this act.

Judging by the cases I’ve covered, they will be able to do just that.

It’s sad to know that even if the shooter serves his time in prison, the people who reminisce about their experience at the vigil will be forced to recall the juvenile, violent act that came with it.