Five Years Later, Seal Beach Shooting Victims Remembered

October 12, 2011 is a day residents of Seal Beach will never forget. Just after 1pm, admitted shooter Scott Dekraai, walked into Salon Meritage at 500 Pacific Coast Highway and opened fire leaving 8 people dead in what is now the deadliest shooting in Orange County history.

Five years later, an official memorial was held at Seal Beach’s Eisenhower Park which included friends, family, and police officers, as well as community members wanting to honor those who were lost. It was an emotional occasion with tears, memories, and flowers decorating the memorial.

The anniversary is another reminder that the shooter is not yet in prison or on death row as some believe should be the case. Dekraai is still in local jail, but his sentencing has been delayed after a judge ruled prosecutors had failed to comply with orders for a fair trial.

The drawn out process can cause added stress and turmoil to families of the victims. Additionally the long process is postponing a possible wrongful death lawsuit for the families. Orange county injury attorneys at PSB Law describe the requirements for a wrongful death suit as the following: “if a family member or loved one has died as a result of someone else’s wrongful act, the victim’s family is allowed to file a lawsuit that seeks compensation for death-related expenses.”

After five years, these families are still being held from finding emotional and monetary relief from this tragic and senseless crime.