Life cut short

Heald College instructor Kathleen McKilligan had this to say about Mario McArn, one of three San Joaquin County homicide victims over the weekend:

Thank you for covering this story. I want to add more to it and I hope you will continue to devote some ink to it. I think it is important for the community to illustrate that it is not just the gang-banger kids of our community that are in danger.

I am an instructor at Heald where Mario spent two years actually receiving two degrees — an Associate degree in Applied Science with a major in business and an Associate of Art degree.

He graduated with honors and was our first inductee into Phi Theta Kappa (an honor society for two year schools). He was also chosen to be our graduation speaker for the ceremony in July. His speech was an energetic and inspiring.

Our campus is reeling from the loss. Both faculty and students are in shock. As was stated in your article, he always looked out for the younger students and was concerned for their safety and success. This community has lost a great young man.