Hundreds of people gathered in Las Vegas for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives of three young adults who died in a house fire on Pecos Street on March 7, as the investigation into the cause continues. The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m., and despite the efforts of fire crews, the three individuals inside did not survive. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but officials do not suspect foul play.The victims were identified as 22-year-old Austin Apodaca, 21-year-old Geno Gonzales, and 21-year-old Desiree Trujillo. Mourners shared stories and leaned on one another during the vigil, expressing the deep impact of the loss on the community.Austin Apodaca’s mother described her son as “a 22-year-old young man, very respectable, very outgoing, full of life.”She said he always had a smile on his face and took pride in bull riding with Geno and his best friends.”Me and him would ride bulls together. He was my rodeo partner,” she said.Another mourner shared, “Like Geno, too. He was my best friend. Me and Austin told him, ‘Ride a bull with us’ in Los Alamos, one time. We always had a place to stay with them. You never knew — whatever went down in your life, you needed a place to go. You came here.”The vigil organizers read messages aloud, observed a moment of silence, and encouraged attendees to check on neighbors and loved ones, emphasizing the importance of keeping the memory of the three young adults alive in the community they helped shape.”We always told each other, ‘I love you, love you guys,'” one mourner said.Austin’s mother added, “Austin was my baby. He will forever leave a hole in our hearts, and he is shining down on us.”Funerals for the victims are scheduled to begin this week on Wednesday. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Las Vegas Fire Department or the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Hundreds of people gathered in Las Vegas for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives of three young adults who died in a house fire on Pecos Street on March 7, as the investigation into the cause continues. The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m., and despite the efforts of fire crews, the three individuals inside did not survive. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but officials do not suspect foul play.
The victims were identified as 22-year-old Austin Apodaca, 21-year-old Geno Gonzales, and 21-year-old Desiree Trujillo. Mourners shared stories and leaned on one another during the vigil, expressing the deep impact of the loss on the community.
Austin Apodaca’s mother described her son as “a 22-year-old young man, very respectable, very outgoing, full of life.”
She said he always had a smile on his face and took pride in bull riding with Geno and his best friends.
“Me and him would ride bulls together. He was my rodeo partner,” she said.
Another mourner shared, “Like Geno, too. He was my best friend. Me and Austin told him, ‘Ride a bull with us’ in Los Alamos, one time. We always had a place to stay with them. You never knew — whatever went down in your life, you needed a place to go. You came here.”
The vigil organizers read messages aloud, observed a moment of silence, and encouraged attendees to check on neighbors and loved ones, emphasizing the importance of keeping the memory of the three young adults alive in the community they helped shape.
“We always told each other, ‘I love you, love you guys,'” one mourner said.
Austin’s mother added, “Austin was my baby. He will forever leave a hole in our hearts, and he is shining down on us.”
Funerals for the victims are scheduled to begin this week on Wednesday. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Las Vegas Fire Department or the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
