Final Vigil Set For Slain Hayward Teen

Family, friends and supporters of Samuel Nava III, a Hayward teen who was shot and killed in May 2010, will be holding their last monthly vigil today, now that police have arrested suspects involved in his murder case.

Today marks the two-year death date of Nava. told Patch that the vigils have continued since his killing, every third day of each month.

"The whole intention of doing the vigils was to keep his spirit alive, to keep his name out there," she said. "We weren't going to stop until his perpetrators were caught."

She said that this final vigil is to thank everyone for their continued support. Each month from 5 to 9 p.m., Sarita said around 20 to 30 people would show up to march from the corner of Mission Boulevard and Industrial Boulevard to Sonic Burger and back. The evening then ends with a prayer. Tonight's vigil wil be no different.

"Kids would share rememberances of Sammy," she said. "[He] has touched so many lives of all ages."

On May 3, 2010 at about 6:45 p.m., Nava, who was 17 at the time, was shot and killed while riding in a car in Hayward. He was in the backseat of the vehicle, which was making a U-turn from north Mission Boulevard to south Mission Boulevard at the intersection with Industrial Parkway.

In late March, after investigators determined them to be suspects in the case through "forensics examinations and witness accounts," according to a police report.

The two are charged for murdering Nava and are .