Emotional Tributes and Tears: El Paso Honors Victims of Violent Crime

This weekend, El Paso came together in a deeply emotional ceremony to remember lives lost to violent crime. Held at Yucca Park’s Victims of Crime Memorial on Sunday, the event was hosted by newly appointed District Attorney James Montoya and drew families, friends, and advocates from across the city. Attendees laid flowers, lit candles, and shared stories of their loved ones whose lives were taken too soon. The names of victims were read aloud as soft music played in the background, creating a somber yet powerful atmosphere of remembrance. “This isn’t just about remembering,” DA Montoya said during his remarks. “It’s about standing united as a community against violence and working toward justice.” For many in attendance, the ceremony was both healing and painful — a vivid reminder of lives cut short and the ripple effects of trauma that stretch across generations. Community leaders emphasized the need for continued support for victims’ families, mental health resources, and stronger outreach programs for at-risk youth. “We must turn grief into action,” one speaker said. The memorial has become a sacred space in El Paso — and this year’s ceremony made clear that these victims are never forgotten.