Almost a year ago, Lawrence Anzures was shot and killed near the Ojos Locos location in Albuquerque, but his name will continue to live on in the community.
Ojos Locos is a chain of sports bars featuring TV soccer games, Mexican-inspired pub food and a selection of beer.
On July 31, Anzures's family and friends held their first "Drop Your Weapons for Lawrence" event, a community get-together aimed at preventing gun violence by promoting good relations with the police force and by intervening in children’s lives to help them become better citizens.
Lawrence Anzures
| Facebook/Lawrence Anzures
"What we’re trying to promote is that there are healthy alternatives and that we can intervene in children’s lives to prevent this kind of issue,” David Aragon, group organizer, told KRQE News.
Although this was the first such event, the family is hoping for it to be held yearly.
Anzures was fatally shot when a gunman opened fire and sprayed bullets throughout the cantina. He was 30 years old. Three other people were shot during the incident but survived.
Organizers said they aren't asking people to get rid of their guns, but rather to work at ways to resolve differences and keep situations from escalating to the point of gun violence. Organizers are asking the shooting suspect, identified as Javier Vargas Vasquez, to turn himself in to police.
“What we are trying to do is show that there are resources, and that they can get mental health assistance and to be able to find common ground with other individuals and don’t to lead to loss of emotions and gun violence,” Aragon told KRQE News.