CSULB Holds Vigil For Student Killed In Paris Terror Attacks

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A vigil to mourn and remember the 23-year-old Cal State Long Beach industrial design student killed in the Paris terror attacks took place at the campus on Sunday evening.

Nohemi Gonzalez of El Monte, a senior majoring in industrial design, was one of 129 people killed Friday in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks at sporting and entertainment venues in Paris, according to Michael Uhlenkamp, CSULB's executive director of news.

Gonzalez was one of 17 CSULB students attending Strate College of Design in Paris as part of a semester abroad program. She was killed while having dinner with friends at a popular bistro, La Belle Equipe.

"She was out and about in Paris with her friends, with fellow students including two students who were fellow CSULB students," said Terri Carbaugh, who manages media and government relations for the university. "One of her friends did see that she was shot by the terrorists. ...

"She did see Nohemi was carried away in a stretcher but she could not tell at that time her outcome," Carbaugh said. "But it was really the heroism of that student and the thoughtfulness of the student and Nohemi's friends that really led us to learn throughout the night how to find out what had happened to her and to gain the details ... They quickly got in touch with friends and family here in California and stayed in close contact with us throughout the night as we tried to get answers."

Campus officials, including CSULB president Jane Close Conoley gathered on campus Saturday to confirm Gonzalez' death, and assure concerned parents that the other 16 students studying in Paris were safe.

French officials said at least 129 people were killed and more than 350 were injured in Friday's terrorist attacks, which targeted six locations throughout Paris.

The Islamic extremist group ISIS claimed responsibility.

At Saturday's news conference, Conoley added her condolences for the loss of a student, and support for the French nationals studying on the campus this semester.

"I'm deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Long Beach State University student Nohemi Gonzalez. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this sad time," Conoley said. "Our university stands with our nearly 80 foreign exchange students from France as they struggle with this tragedy. We will extend all support necessary to comfort
them. We will also extend support to all students, faculty and staff who are in need."

Michael LaForte, a lecturer and one of Gonzalez' former professors, called her a "shining star" in CSULB's industrial design department.

"She had a very buoyant, joyous personality," LaForte said. "She was extremely lively, extremely energetic."

A moment of silence for Gonzalez and the other victims was held before CSULB's homecoming basketball game Saturday night at The Pyramid.

"She was so happy, everyday, because she loved to go to school," Nohemi's mother Beatriz said. "She wanted to have a career, and a family."

In Sacramento, Gov. Jerry Brown added his condolences to those "impacted by this senseless tragedy," and ordered all flags at the state Capitol flown at half-staff in memory of Gonzalez and the other victims.

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