POMONA >> “This cowardly act does not define us as a city,” Mayor Tim Sandoval said.

That act was a drive-by shooting Monday evening that claimed the life of 8-year-old Jonah Hwang. A crowd of about 100 gathered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday night to remember the young boy with an infectious smile.

• Video: A prayer for the community

Jonah was with his parents and family friends inside a home in the 1100 block of West 11th Street when the shooting occurred. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital, Pomona police said. A motive for the shooting is unknown.

“We love you, your city is with you,” Sandoval said to Jonah and to the crowd at the church.

The event was organized by a group of local clergy, nearly all members of Pomona Pastors in Prayer, an association formed with the purpose of praying for peace in the city of Pomona.

A rendition of “Amazing Grace,” sung by members of Shield of Faith Christian Center, opened the vigil. Hugs ended it.

• Video: A message from Jonah’s parents

Pastor Adam Donner of First Presbyterian Church read a statement from Johnny and Karen Hwang. The family did not attend.

“We continue to be awed by the love and support that continues to pour over our family. We are so grateful for all the kind words and gestures that people all over, both near and far, have shared with us,” Donner read.

Tears flowed.

Police Chief Paul Capraro asked for those present to pray for justice.

“I’m here with all of you, because my heart is aching,” he said.

A GoFundMe page set up Tuesday to help the Hwang family has raised more than $50,000, much more than the $10,000 goal. With the balance, the family has committed to create a scholarship fund for the children of Pomona.

“Jonah was a boy that we never needed to worry about: Despite no knowledge of English upon arrival, Jonah became the top reader in his class within 26 months,” according to a statement released by the Hwangs before Friday’s vigil.

• Photos: A city mourns

Jonah excelled in soccer. Johnny and Karen Hwang recalled a time when they offered their son $5 for every goal he scored. The couple acknowledged they underestimated him when he made $15 in his first game, the statement read.

The next game, having learned their lesson, his parents lowered their payout to $3 per goal, “so that he wouldn’t break our bank,” his parents stated. Jonah would go on to score four goals, bringing in another $12.

His family said he was also giving.

He worked to save money for a watch. When he got the watch, “he didn’t even take it home — he loaned it to a friend,” according to the statement.

At a family white elephant gift exchange at Christmas, Jonah won a coveted light saber. His parents said the 8-year-old gave it to his younger cousin because he saw she wanted it.

“We miss him more than words can express,” Johnny and Karen Hwang said in the statement.

• Video: Not the first child to die in a drive-by

Jonah’s death reminded Rep. Freddie Rodriguez, D-Chino, a Pomona resident himself, of another boy, Ethan Esparza, who was shot and killed Nov. 19, 2006, just a day before his fourth birthday. Ethan was in front of his grandparents’ East Columbia Avenue home when a light-colored SUV drove by, and out of it came gunshots. An El Monte teen was also wounded.

“Why is this happening again?” Rodriguez said he asked himself when he learned of Jonah’s death.

“That is it,” Rodriguez said to the crowd Friday. “As of today, no more children or people will be taken away from our city by these acts of senseless violence.”

Capraro said Pomona Pastors in Prayer was formed several years ago, prompted by a particularly violent streak in 2013. In 2016, Pomona had 13 homicides. A car-to-car shooting claimed two lives just last month in Pomona.

“We’ve prayed before for justice and we have received justice, and God has answered our prayers,” the chief said.

Capraro said police officers are doing everything they can — two lead detectives are working the case.

“We are asking for people to come forward — we’re praying for people to come forward — because somebody knows what happened here,” he said. “Somebody saw something. Somebody knows who did this.”

Several of the attendees were visibly upset after the vigil. Lizbeth Borja, who lives three streets from the shooting, was in tears.

“It’s extremely tough,” said Borja, who has a 7-year-old son. “I put myself in their shoes, and I can’t imagine what the family is going through.”

Yvone Wentz of Claremont brought star and Spider-Man Mylar balloons, as well as a small bouquet of flowers for Jonah “because he was a superhero.”

Indeed, his parents have said Jonah loved superheroes and have encouraged children who attend his memorial service — planned for 1 p.m. March 4 at Purpose Church, 601 N. Garey Ave. — to dress up in costume.

Wentz didn’t know the Hwangs. But it didn’t matter.

“My heart just broke,” Wentz said as tears welled. “He’s such a beautiful little boy. … It’s a tragedy. We have to come together to pray and be at peace. We have to stop this violence.”

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the nonprofit Pomona Hope, with a note: In Honor of Jonah Hwang.

To make a donation, go to www.pomonahope.org/donate/donate-online/.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been edited to clarify where neighbor Lizbeth Borja lives in relation to the shooting.

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