Hundreds attend vigil for father, son from Texas killed in France
AUSTIN, Texas -- Hundreds of people have attended a candlelight vigil for a Texas father and son who were killed in the truck attack in Nice, France.
The Austin American-Statesman reported Lake Hills Church Pastor Mac Richard began the service Sunday night explaining it wasn't a memorial service, but rather, the beginning of the grieving process. He said the deaths of 51-year-old Sean Copeland and 11-year-old Brodie Copeland of Lakeway near Austin were an "indescribable, unspeakable loss."
The Copeland family was in France during a European vacation when Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel slammed a truck into a crowd Thursday during the Bastille Day celebration, killing at least 84 people.
According to a statement the pastor read, other Copeland family members still in Europe are working with the U.S. government to get back home.
Jess Davis, who is friends with Meagan Copeland, Sean Copeland's daughter, issued a statement on the family's behalf saying, "We are heartbroken and in shock over the loss of Brodie Copeland, an amazing son and brother who lit up our lives, and Sean Copeland, a wonderful husband and father. They are so loved."
Brodie played for the Hill Country Baseball Academy, which posted a statement on its Facebook page reading in part, "We would like to ask that the HC family keep the Copelands in your prayers. This afternoon our very own Brodie Copeland, as well as his father Sean Copeland, were killed during the terrorist attack in Nice, France. ... Nobody deserves this type of fate, especially not such a wonderful family. You are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. Rest in peace, Brodie and Sean, you will be remembered by many."
Sean Copeland was listed as a team administrator on another team web page.
"He's an awesome kid, everybody is just crying about the whole situation and I think Brodie is the kind of kid that would just want everybody to be happy. A little fireball, nothing but smiles from him at all times," said Aaron Cable, the director of operations for the baseball academy.
Fifth grade teacher Coleen Serfoss says Brodie was excited about this summer trip with his family.
"Words cant describe how I feel for the parents, for his mother, and his siblings. I just pray for strength for them, and just pray for them."
University of California, Berkeley, officials confirmed Sunday that one of their students was among the dead.
Nicolas Leslie is the third American confirmed among the victims