WG residents join June 27 walk to protest slaying of merchant

In an effort to take back the streets, Willow Glen residents joined a nearly 2-mile walk to San Jose City Hall as part of a peace march to end violence and encourage anyone with information on local merchant Vahid Hosseini’s death to come forward.

Sparked by violence, the “Stop the Violence” peace march was held to honor Hosseini, owner of Willow Market, who was robbed, then shot, at Bank of the West on S. First Street on the afternoon of May 23. Hosseini died in the hospital July 3, with his killers still at large.

His hospitality drew a base of regular customers from a wide area, including nearby Willow Glen. …

At Sunday’s peace rally, city leaders urged the community to get involved.

“We can only have a safe city if our community is engaged,” said Mayor Chuck Reed. “This is our city. It does not belong to criminals.” …

Many on Sunday paid tribute to him, wearing white ribbons, carrying signs denouncing the violence and shouting a rallying cry demanding justice.

“It’s so sad to walk in the store and he’s not there; he knew everybody by name,” said Maria Marrufo, who had known Hosseini for 20 years.

With her daughter at her side, she walked along the sidewalk, past Willow Market and the bank where he was shot, before finally reaching City Hall.