Community holds vigil for 7-year-old killed in Taylor murder-suicide Thursday

TAYLOR, Mich. - A little girl gunned down after soccer practice and her mother still hospitalized a week after the Taylor Sportsplex shooting.

Family and friends are organizing a special vigil in little Emma's Watson Nowling's honor and with recovery wishes for wounded mom Sharon Watson.

The Taylor community plans a prayer vigil Thursday night for the Belleville family.

"It's a sad time, but also a time we can share hope," said Rev. Shawn Lewis of Taylor Gilead Baptist Church.

Just one week ago Taylor police say Sharon and her daughter were leaving the Sportsplex on Telegraph near North Line after Emma's soccer practice  when gunfire rang out. The man pulling the trigger was family friend 57-year-old Timothy Obeshaw. He then turned the gun on himself.

"He came up, he walked by, she came up, gave him a hug," said Mario Scicluna, Emma's soccer coach. "Sat down and there was no indication. Even the mother, she kept saying that.

"Nobody expected it."

The 37-year-old mother and Emma, both shot in the head. Sharon is still recovering while Emma died from her injuries.

"Emma's a beautiful little girl," said Scicluna said. "She joked around with her friends, loved her family."

As those surrounding the Watson and Nowling families try to stay strong, close family friends can't escape the moments of sorrow while asking the question why?

"Nothing makes sense when you go through it again and again," Scicluna said. "It just doesn't make sense. What you have to do is be a pillar of strength of the family and for the community."

But now -- as they prepare an evening of prayer, of song and of hope, they pray they can begin to help heal a community and two families who have lost so much.

"Prayer is powerful," Scicluna said. "For the family, for her mother. Let's take care of the living."

The vigil will be at 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex, 13333 Telegraph Road.  If you would like to donate to the family, CLICK HERE.