LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A candlelight vigil was held for Brandon Durham, the man who was shot and killed by a Metro police officer over a week ago, Saturday at the MLK statue in North Las Vegas.
Dozens of friends and loved ones come together to honor and remember the 43-year-old man.
”Brandon Durham should be alive today. He should have been able to enjoy a family feast day with his family. He should not be gone from us," said Quentin Savior, NAACP president.
“Brandon had called 9-1-1 terrified an intruder was breaking into his home. Instead of receiving help, he received 6 shots," said Rachel Gore, Durham's domestic partner.
During an emotional testimony and as tears ran down her face, Gore called on metro police for accountability.
“He isn’t a cop. He’s a murderer pretending to be a public servant," said Gore.
“He was really important to me and no one asked me if it was ok to take my friend," said Adrian Cossio, Durham's best friend.
Cossio has been Durham’s best friend for over 25 years. They were roommates while attending culinary school at Johnson and Whales University. Cossio said Durham was one of the main reasons he moved from Miami to Las Vegas.
“The last 7 years were absolute bliss. I mean, the dude showed me how to live in Vegas… how to enjoy it.”
He said he’s had nightmares ever since watching the body cam video that shows Officer Alexander Bookman shooting and killing his friend.
"I can’t go back to sleep because I am traumatized," said Cossio. "We don’t hate police officers. We just want to see that one accountable.”
Meanwhile, his loved ones said they want the community to remember him as a hard-working, funny man who lit up every room.
“He was an amazing guy, like everyone told you. He was the happiest guy. No matter what troubles that were in his way he was always positive about everything. This is terrible and tragic the way they took my fun away. And I still don’t have a logical reason as to why," said Gore.
WATCH: Calls for justice echo through downtown Las Vegas in rally for Brandon Durham
