JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The crime-fighting group MAD DADS and others from the community gathered for a candlelight vigil Thursday night in honor of a Jacksonville father who was shot and killed in Arlington.
According to the group, 37-year-old Erik Fountano leaves behind a wife and four children.
Thursday night’s vigil took place at Friendship Fountain. Several dozen people, including Fountano’s family and friends gathered to celebrate his life.
Several people prayed while others embraced members of Fountano’s family.
“God, we are trusting you to hold this family together, to heal every broken heart, every wounded spirit every confused mind,” one person prayed.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested 46-year-old Micheal Brown in connection with the shooting. He has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Investigators said awitness told police that right before Fountano was shot, he was arguing with another man.
Johnthia Heggs, Fountano’s mother, said the arrest has brought the family some closure.
“We got together as a family and we prayed. We prayed the prayer of faith, and we believe justice will be done. And I told my other sons, ‘Don’t get justice. Don’t go out there. Justice will be done and we prayed because God is a just God,” Heggs said,
Brown is only facing the weapon charge.
Police were called to Alderman Road in the Alderman Park area of Arlington and found Fountano shot. He died at the scene. Police said someone who knows both men witnessed the shooting, and Brown was later arrested.
Records show he was ordered held on $250,000 bond.
