The family of Rubi Vergara, the freshman student who was shot to death at Abundant Life Christian School earlier this week, shockingly expressed forgiveness for the teen's killer at her funeral Saturday, where hundreds came to mourn her.
“We have no bitterness or unforgiveness toward 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow and her family. They also lost a daughter,” Andy Remus, Vergara’s uncle, told the crowd.
“Somehow this precious child of God has lost his way.”
Remus said the family refused to dwell on the tragedy and instead remembered the 14-year-old's joyful demeanor and positive attitude.
“We just have to breathe. We love to laugh at any point in the service when something funny is said about a memory of Ruby's laughter…If this is truly a celebration of life, then let's do it right,” Andy Remus, Vergara's uncle, said at the event Top of the service.
“We need to get out of this fog we’ve been in for the last five days.”
The funeral was held at City Church, which is next door to the school where classmate Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow opened fire on Monday, killing Vergara and substitute teacher Erin West, before turning the gun on herself.
Hundreds crowded into the large church, and hundreds of others tuned in to a livestream.
“She would probably be horrified to see so many people in the church just for her,” Jen, a longtime family friend, told the crowd.
Vergara is remembered as an avid reader and musician who played keyboard in her family's worship band.
The 14-year-old also had a close relationship with her dog and cat, her relatives said.
Authorities are still working to uncover a motive for Rupnow's violence, but court documents show she was in therapy because of her difficult family life.
