Candlelight vigil for slain man in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS, ND (Valley News Live) – Loved ones gathered on Halloween night for a candlelight vigil to remember Anthony Kiehla week after police say he was killed in Grand Forks.

The Grand Forks Police Department says that on the night of October 24th, the 49-year-old man was killed following an altercation with two men in his apartment – a family of places described as Tony’s “happy place”.

“When he was happy, he felt safe and when people weren’t harassing him, this is where he would like to stay. Right now, I’m not strong enough to go to his apartment yet,” said Lori Ann Garcia, Tony’s sister.

Police say he was beaten to death and found with multiple knife wounds to his neck, chest and abdomen.

Two men, Donald Joseph Bartlette and Nicholas Wride-Arnold, have since been charged in connection with his death.

On a cold Halloween night, family and friends came together with candles and a “Justice 4 Tony” sign to celebrate his life.

At the vigil, his grandson said: “My favorite memories of him are seeing Tony everywhere and him always coming up to me and saying, ‘I love you, nephew!’ I will never see this again.”

With emotions running high, they still raised an important message during the vigil.

“Violence does not happen in our community! We’re no strangers to killing here in Grand Forks,” his sister said.

She also brought her thoughts on compensation related to violent crimes from the state, arguing that it is generally not enough.

The county pays for Tony’s cremation, but nothing else. She says she is struggling to pay for all the other funeral expenses.

“You know, when you experience something like that, you’re not prepared for it. Where do I think I can get the money? I have no savings, so how can I be reimbursed for money I don’t have?” she asked.

She hopes to have an official service soon.

“My brother was killed. I mean, yes. I miss him.”

The two men charged in Tony’s death face life in prison without parole if convicted, but Lori says there’s no time to bring her brother back.

They will return to court on December 9, 2024.