Candlelight Vigil Held in Memory of Woman Murdered in Montclair Park

S.O.F I.A., an advocacy group for victims of domestic violence, will hold a candlelight vigil for Shanae Howard on Tuesday, May 21, in Montclair.

Howard was shot and killed last week by her boyfriend in what was ruled a murder-suicide by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray.

Domestic violence is the leading crime against women ages 25-35, according to S.O.F.I.A., which stands for Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates.

Cynthia Walker is the founder of Montclair-based S.O.F.I.A.

“As a survivor of this crime, I am a testament that this attack on lives is the only crime that comes masked as love and carries the hidden name of violence,” Walker said in a release about the vigil.

“Let’s not allow another woman to lose her life in vain. Help S.O.F.I.A. take a stand against Domestic Violence and give a voice to the silenced,” she said.

The vigil will take place in remembrance of Howard and all victims of domestic violence at 6 p.m. in Crane Park on Glenridge Avenue and Lackawanna Plaza.

After the vigil, participants will walk together to Montclair Fire Headquarters, 1 Pine St., for a community meeting to discuss the recent gun violence. 

The non-profit will hold its third annual Walk Against Domestic Violence on Sept. 7 in Canterbury Park.