About 200 people turned out for a Saturday night vigil for Anthony Banta, the 22-year-old man who was fatally shot early Thursday morning by Walnut Creek police.
Friends, family and co-workers participated in an hour-long candlelight memorial at the Newell Avenue facility where Banta worked as a haidresser.
Mourners also wrote personal remembrances on a large card with Banta's picture inside the salon.
Michael Falcon, co-owner of the salon, said the purpose of the vigil was to provide comfort and solace for those who knew Banta.
"It's an opportunity for the community to get a glimpse of Anthony and how much he inspired us," said Falcon.
Banta was shot to death by police officers who responded to a 9-1-1 call at 3:13 a.m. Thursday about a disturbance at an apartment on Creekside Drive in Walnut Creek.
Police administrators have said the officers were concerned for their safety when they entered the apartment, but family members have said Banta was armed with only a knife and police did not need to use lethal force.
