Dozens of people packed into the pews at Celebration Church in Akron Sunday night for a vigil to remember a local family killed Saturday morning in a house fire on Tallmadge Ave. They also prayed for the family's 12-year-old daughter who was injured.
"This is a precious family, precious girls," said Pastor Zach Prosser of Celebration Church on Dan St.
Prosser confirmed that 33-year-old Shirley Wallis, her boyfriend 36-year-old Omar Riley and their two daughters, 8-year-old Shanice Riley and 9-year-old Aniyla Riley died when their house caught on fire early Saturday morning. They were members of Prosser's church.
He added that Wallis's third daughter, Shaniya Wallis, is in stable condition at a local hospital.
"Shaniya's got a long road ahead of her," said Prosser who added that she is autistic. "She's going to need a lot of support, a lot of encouragement."
"He tried to do whatever he could to provide for his family," said Sherbet Small, Omar Riley's half-brother.
Small attended the vigil along with Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan and Shaniya's teacher, among others.
"Know that we stand behind you, and we stand beside you every step of the way," said Horrigan to the congregation.
Shanice was a third grader at Seiberling Elementary School, and Aniyla was a fourth grader at Forest Hills Elementary, according to a spokesman from the Akron school district.
Funeral plans have not been announced yet. Donations for the family are being accepted at Celebration Church.
