While three years ago today,
a dark and evil shadow was cast,
not just over Poway,
but the Jewish community nationwide.
A gunman opened fire at the Habad of Poway,
killing one and injuring three others,
and as the healing process continues,
one of the congregants who was
there shared her story. Today,
during an online anti-Semitism training,
the CBS 8 Shannon Handy is live in
Poway with the powerful story Shannon.
Carlo and Kelly Laurie Kay is the
congregate who was killed that day.
Her murder, of course, is still very
difficult for her family and friends,
so today on the 3rd anniversary of her death,
the American Jewish Committee held
an online anti-Semitism training,
saying that according to the FBI,
Jewish people are the target of hate crimes,
more so than any other religious group.
Now, the survivor, who we heard from today,
her name is Randy Feinberg.
She was a close friend of Laurie's.
In fact, she was here that
day as a guest of hers.
Take a listen.
She is the rare once in a
lifetime friend for life.
Ironically, the last day of Lori's
living was one of four days in the
Jewish calendar according to Jewish law,
designated to recite a memorial
prayer of Remembrance, Lori was there.
She was present to recite that prayer
for her recently deceased mother.
I went to school to be present
and supportive and loving.
With her and for Lori,
the prayer is really a heartbreaker.
And yet, at the same moment,
consoling.
We never heard the prayer gunshots
interrupted morning prayers.
That shooting again took
place three years ago today.
On the last day of Jewish Passover,
a 19 year old gunman stormed into
the synagogue and started shooting.
Laurie was killed and three others,
including the rabbi, were injured.
The gunman called 911 soon
after and was arrested nearby.
He's now in prison for life
without the possibility of parole.
Following the tragedy,
local leaders and lawmakers
spoke out about the crime,
saying more needs to be done to
prevent anti Semitic acts of violence.
During today's online training,
leaders in the Jewish community.
As well as state lawmakers and their
staff gathered to discuss what we can
do both at the state and local level,
including supporting legislation
that condemns hate crimes.
Laurie's daughter is alive and lives
on without her mother Laurie's husband
lives without his wife and many,
many, many family and dear friends are
left with a huge limp in our hearts.
We need to educate our kids that
all hate thought is violence.
And also today during that online training,
a moment of silence was held to
honor Laurie and those who have
died at the hands of anti-Semitism.
Laurie was a beloved member of
the Poway community of the Habata,
Poway community as well,
and she was known for doing random
acts of kindness for strangers.
Kelly and Carla
Shannon. Not only is this
a 3rd anniversary of that
horrible crime, Randy Feinberg,
kind of alluded to the calendar.
This is a very important day
in the Jewish faith, isn't it?
It is in fact today's training
started with discussing the fact that
today is Holocaust Remembrance Day.
So of course it's a very meaningful
day for the Jewish people.
It's a very solemn day,
so it just so happens that it's also
the day that Lori Kay was murdered,
right here in the synagogue,
where she spent a lot of time
and one thing I want to mention.
You know, I spoke about how she was
known for random acts of kindness.
That's what her friends say,
and apparently her husband.
Is asking people to honor his
wife today by doing those random
acts of kindness for strangers.
Thank you Shannon.
Yeah, that's incredible.
I remember being at the
sentencing for the shooter and
and hearing from her daughter.
I mean, heartbreaking testimony talking
about her mom who was her best friend.
Just heartbreaking Andy
reporting for us live.
Thank you, Shannon.