SAN ANTONIO – The family and friends of a man killed this week in an apparent home invasion gathered Saturday to hold a vigil in his memory.
Loved ones joined in song, shared memories and lit candles in remembrance of Julio Gutierrez, 34.
"He would want us to celebrate his life. I mean, of course everybody's going to cry because it hurts, but he would always want us to be happy," said Christina Gutierrez, Julio's wife.
Police said Julio Gutierrez woke up around 5:30 a.m. Friday when he heard a commotion in front of his home in the 100 block of Esmeralda.
Moments later, Christina Gutierrez found him dead at the front door. She and four children were also in the home but were not injured.
"God is going to help us through this," Christina Gutierrez said.
According to investigators, the front door appeared to have been forced open.
"They were asleep, we all were asleep. It just happened in a instant. By the time I turned on the light, I just saw him on the floor and that's all I saw," Christina Gutierrez said.
Julio Gutierrez leaves behind his wife, one child and five stepchildren.
"It's my husband, I'm going to miss him. I woke up to him every day," Christina Gutierrez said.