Family and friends of Ezekiel Gonzales, 18, gathered at 49th Street and Avenue U to hold a balloon release in honor his life Thursday night. As emotions run high, the vigil was postponed after the homeowner of the property asked residents to leave for safety concerns.
Gonzales was shot to death at a house party in the area on the Fourth of July.
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More than 100 of his loved ones gathered at the house where he died to commemorate his life.
However, the homeowner who said he was unaware of the vigil Thursday evening asked them to relocate after he said the City of Lubbock fined him for the trash left at his property the night before during a similar vigil for Gonzales.
As those were unwillingly to leave, Lubbock Police responded to the area and escorted them off the property.
The balloon release continued across the street at another property.
More gathered to support the family of Gonzales and it quickly escalated to verbal arguments between those hosting the vigil and the original homeowner.
The family wanted to redecorate the electrical pole on the corner in honor of Gonzales since that is where is was killed. The homeowner did not disagree but asked for them to stay off his property.
Severe people were in the street and nearby properties as LPD responded for a second time to clear the area.
After two hours, the area was clear and the homeowner was escorted to another residence for the time being after receiving threats that made him fear for this safety.
