Vigil held for Airport Way Safeway shooting victim, Harley Ray Titus

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Fairbanks community gathered at the Airport Way Safeway to commemorate the life of Harley Ray Titus, the victim in the fatal shooting that took place Sunday, November 7th, 2021. 41 year-old Harley Ray Titus was honored and remembered with a candlelight prayer vigil Friday, November 12th at 6:30 p.m. where the incident occurred.

The parking lot vigil was filled with encouraging words of justice, prayers, faith hymns, and traditional Athabascan song and dance.

Survived by family members to include his mother, Violet Titus, who had uplifting words for the community as she was overwhelmed with the support of the attendees. Violet said, “It’s cold and I know it’s hard, but for coming here, I want to thank God for all of you. He’s doing so much for us right now. I’m asking for him to give it all back to you. This is my prayer group here. They stand behind me. Without them I cannot do anything. I cannot do anything without God. I am nothing without him. God always make something out of nothin’ and I want to thank everybody.”

The gunman, Joshua Eric Butcher, is being held at the Department of Corrections on a $10 million dollar bail. He is charged in the case, and awaiting trial in January 2022. Meanwhile, if you or anyone you know is overwhelmed with grief, the Fairbanks Native Association and Tanana Valley Chiefs have extended grief assistance.

More information on this case will follow as it becomes available.