Locals are planning multiple memorial events in the community where 11-year-old Riya Rajkumar was found dead hours after an Amber Alert was issued regarding her disappearance.
Her father, 41-year-old Roopesh Rajkumar, was taken into police custody on suspicion of murdering the girl, but was transported to an area trauma center from the scene for treatment of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, as previously reported by CrimeOnline.
According to the Toronto Star, one candlelight vigil was scheduled for Saturday evening at a park in Mississauga, Ontario in Canada.
One organizer spread the event on social media and identified herself as a close friend of the girl’s mother.
“There are so many people who have been hurting from this angel’s loss, and no one needs our prayer and love more than Riya’s family at this time,” Amrita Naipual wrote.
Meadowvale Village Green Park is located near Meadowvale Village Public School, where Riya attended fifth grade.
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Three days after that, another vigil has been planned for Garden Square in Brampton. That gathering is being organized by Regional Councillor Rowena Santos, who represents wards 1 and 5, and will be held Tuesday at 5:45 p.m.
In addition to the planned vigils, donors near and far are pitching in to support an online fundraiser established by Neighbourhood Watch Brampton. The effort quickly surpassed its $2,500 goal to help offset the costs of Riya’s final expenses. As of this writing, the fundraiser has collected more than $23,000.
[Featured image: Riya Rajkumar, Peel Regional Police]
