CARROLLTON, Va. (WAVY) — Herbert Snelling is one of the 12 people who lost their lives in Friday’s mass shooting in Virginia Beach. Wednesday night, a local volunteer fire department will honor him and the other victims with a prayer vigil.
“An amazing friend, a devoted husband, father and grandfather” is how Snelling is being remembered by Eagle Construction, which is where he worked.
In Snelling’s obituary, family and friends describe him as a “genuinely humble and self-sacrificing man with an infectious laugh … someone who found humor in every opportunity and found joy in all things.”
Wednesday night, the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department is honoring him and all of the victims of Friday’s shooting with a prayer vigil.
Chief Tim Nunez, with the Carrollton Fire Dept., said, “Hampton Roads encompasses a large area, but during a time of tragedy, we must come together and show our support for the community.”
Snelling’s brother is a volunteer firefighter with Carrollton and has been with the department for more than 15 years.
“His fire department family is here for him,” said Nunez. “We’re going to be there, it’s going to be a long road to recovery, but we’re going to be there for him the whole time.”
Nunez says the department is thinking of the lives lost and of those who responded to the tragedy. He said, “Our hearts hurt for our brothers and the fire and law enforcement, the dispatchers.”
He also says all of Hampton Roads is in this together.
“The Hampton Roads area, it kind of affects everybody, Virginia Beach is part of everything we do around here and it’s just really, you don’t hear, you see it on the news, but you never really think it’s going to happen in your area,” said Nunez.
The prayer vigil is taking place at 6:30 Wednesday at the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department at 15020 Carrollton Boulevard, Carrollton, 23314.
Snelling will be laid to rest on Saturday at London Bridge Baptist Church.