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Memorials to be held for pool party shooting victim Monique Clark

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SAN DIEGO - A woman shot to death in the University City mass shooting will be remembered Wednesday in prayer services and vigils held around San Diego.

Monique Clark, a 35-year-old mother of three, died at a hospital following the shooting at that took place Sunday around 6 p.m. as people were attending a tenant's 50th birthday party in the pool area of the La Jolla Crossroads complex at 9045 Judicial Drive. Six other people were injured in the shooting.

At 6 p.m., a "dove vigil" in Clark's memory will take place at the shooting scene. A flier announcing the event, and a GoFundMe campaign to assist her family, says the purpose of the gathering "is to provide a place for the community to affirm its witness against violence and to remember the loss of Monique Clark's life."

City News Service reported the vigil is being organized by the group Dreaming of Violence-free Everywhere, which has been staging vigils to honor victims of violence for at least four years.

"Vigils are held within 72 hours to bring the community together after a violent act, to be a witness against violence and put a face on the victim," Bishop Cornelius Bowser of Charity Apostolic Church told City News Service. "The public at-large can know who Monique really was."

Participants, who Bowser said should arrive early because of limited parking, will pray, sing and light candles.

A prayer service scheduled for 6:30 p.m. will be held at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church (4321 Eastgate Mall). Organizers say the event is open to people of all faiths, or no faith.

First Baptist Church of San Diego (5055 Governor Drive) is working with nearby parishes to put on a similar event that will begin at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday morning, entertainer Nick Cannon -- a San Diego native -- posted on his Instagram account that Clark was a longtime friend.

"I just learned that the one life lost in the senseless and tragic mass shooting in San Diego was my childhood friend, who was more like family, Miss Monique Clark," the actor-musician wrote. "Such a beautiful spirit with an infectious smile. I have nothing but wonderful memories of this Angel. Tears can't express the pain and shock. A mother of 3, a sister, a daughter, a cousin, a friend and a Queen... Rest in Paradise."

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