201911.24
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Dominic Blackwell, one of 2 students slain in Saugus High shooting, honored at memorial service

by in News

Dominic Michael Blackwell used to join his mother, a Jehovah’s Witness, for her Saturday morning walks around Santa Clarita, preaching to their neighbors.

Dominic loved these morning treks, his grandfather Gene Hall said at a memorial service for Dominic on Sunday afternoon attended by 705 people in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency on McBean Parkway in Santa Clarita.

  • Gene Hall speaks at a memorial service for his grandson, Dominic Blackwell, 14, Sunday, Nov. 24. The teen was fatally shot at Saugus High School Thursday, Nov. 14 (Photo courtesy of Austin Dave).

  • People mourning the death of Dominic Blackwell, 14, hug and greet one another as they leave a service held in his memory Sunday, Nov. 24. He was one of two teens fatally shot, authorities said, by a classmate at Saugus High School 10 days prior. (Photo courtesy of Austin Dave).

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  • A photo of Dominic Blackwell, 14, displayed at a service held in his memory Sunday, Nov. 24. He was fatally shot 10 days earlier. (Photo courtesy of Austin Dave).

  • A photo of Dominic Blackwell, 14, displayed at a service held in his memory Sunday, Nov. 24. He was fatally shot 10 days earlier. (Photo courtesy of Austin Dave).

  • Erik Gonzales recites a blessing at the conclusion of a memorial service held Sunday, Nov. 24, in memory of Dominic Blackwell, 14, who died 10 days prior in a shooting at Saugus High School. (Photo courtesy of Austin Dave).

  • Saugus high students walk past a memorial with well wishes placed up for Gracie Muehlberger and Dominic Blackwell Tuesday, November 19, 2019. Students were allowed back to collect their belongings left behind after the tragic shooting last Thursday. Classes will resume at the high school on December 2nd. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Attendees of a vigil held at Central Park in Santa Clarita in the wake of a fatal shooting at Saugus High School left hundreds of messages on a poster dedicated to one of the tragedy’s victims, Dominic Blackwell, 14 (Eric Licas, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Students wear Blackwell jerseys in honor of fellow classmate Dominic Blackwell, 14, who was one of the victims of the Saugus high shooting, during a vigil held at Central Park in Santa Clarita for victims of the Saugus high shooting in Santa Clarita, CA Sunday, November 17, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dominic Michael Blackwell and Gracie Anne Muehlberger were killed when a fellow student opened fire at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita. (Photos courtesy of GoFundMe)

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The “bright, charismatic, compassionate,” boy, Hall said, was dedicated to his faith and loved teaching others.

“But don’t get it twisted,” he said, smiling. Stifled laughter broke out across the room, among the family and friends who knew Dominic best.

“He was also snarky,” Hall said. “He was sarcastic. He couldn’t keep his room clean to save his life.”

Dominic was, Hall said, “in every regard,” a typical 14-year-old boy, filled with a joyous spirit and a mischievous sense of humor. His parents are Frank and Nancy Blackwell.

Dominic was one of two killed when a 16-year-old armed with a .45 caliber handgun opened fire on students waiting in the quad for classes to start at Saugus High School on Nov. 14.

Dominic was rushed to a hospital, where he died.

Hundreds mourned the other student killed, 15-year-old Gracie Anne Muehlberger, in a memorial service at Real Life Church in Valencia on Saturday.

Three other students were injured. The last injured victim, a 15-year-old girl, was released from the hospital last week.

The shooter, identified by authorities as 16-year-old Nathan Berhow, emptied most of his ammunition clip, turning the gun on himself with the final shot. He died in a hospital the next day.

Thousands of people attended a vigil for the shooting victims last Sunday.

Family of Dominic who attended said the boy loved being a big brother to his three younger siblings. And friends described him as always having a smile on his face.

The son of a U.S. Army veteran, Dominic was in ROTC at Saugus. A fellow cadet, Joshua Mourthi, said his friend was gregarious and upbeat.

“He had a hard time standing at attention because he couldn’t stop smiling,” Mourthi said.

At the memorial service on Sunday, family said one of the things that with stay with them most was the boy’s bright and happy demeanor.

As he spoke, Hall was flanked by two large photos of his grandson. One showed the boy in a striped shirt, kneeling in a field of yellow poppies. In the other, Dominic leans against a wooden fence, wearing a bright blue collared shirt. In both, he sports a wide grin.

“Where do I get started with this kid,” Hall said in mock exasperation.

“He was his grandmother’s shadow. He was his Aunt Angie’s ‘little goober.’ He was his mom’s ‘little peanut,’” Hall said. “He was a kid with an infectious laugh, a kind smile and a big heart.”