Notes From the Aftermath

Editor's Note: This story will be updated throughout the day with news, photographs and links. For main coverage of the Seal Beach salon shooting, click or .

Statement From Ex-Wife's Attorney

Mary Cate, the attorney for shooting victim Michelle Fournier, allegedly killed by ex-husband Scott Dekraai, issued this statement Thursday afternoon:

"We search for meaning from this catastrophe but find none. Scott De Kraai’s demeanor throughout this case has been controlled, and he never gave any indication that he housed the potential for such destruction and carnage.  Michelle’s son, Dominic, is also a victim, and by one act of a desperate man, has been deprived of both his mother and father. The outrage we feel toward Mr. De Kraai is dwarfed by the feeling of loss and sorrow we have for our friend Michelle."

The Mind of a Mass Murderer 

Such killings are typically premeditated and motivated by revenge, a . And the perpetrators rarely feel remorse.

Related stories: and . 

Vigils and Memorials

• A candlelight vigil will take place outside Salon Meritage at 8 p.m. Thursday. Police Chaplain Don Shoemaker invited the community to come "share peace."
• A community prayer service will be held at Seacoast Grace Church at 919 Electric Ave. at 7 p.m. Thursday. Counseling will be available. 
• The Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living will host a prayer service at 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Sunday. A message board outside its offices on Marina Drive state: "It is not the length of life, but the depth."
• A parents-only meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at McGaugh Elementary School. Principal Bill McDonald will discuss the best way to talk to children about Wednesday's tragedy.
• Rev. Msgr. Michael Heher, pastor of Saint Anne Catholic Church, will conduct a community prayer service for victims, their families, friends and first responders at 7 p.m. Friday at 340 10th St.

At about 3 p.m., as schools let out, more residents, children, parents and onlookers began gathering in front of Wednesday's crime scene. Crews with the city of Seal Beach began setting up sound systems for the 8 p.m. memorial.

Seal Beach's 'Most Tragic Moment'

Victim names and specific crime details won't be revealed until a Friday press conference with the county district attorney, police said at a 1 p.m. press conference. Acting Seal Beach police Chief Tim Olson said alleged killer Scott Dekraai was being held without bail after using a handgun to shoot nine people, eight fatally. Olson called the massacre "the most tragic moment" in Seal Beach history.

Memorials and Poems

The crime scene tape that prevented family, friends and weary onlookers from nearing Wednesday’s crime scene off 5th Street in Old Towne Seal Beach was down by Thursday morning.

Black plastic and drawn blinds shielded the windows of the Meritage Salon, where eight people were killed in a tragic shooting rampage.

A makeshift memorial was set up outside the salon's front door and quickly grew. In addition to flowers, two handwritten poems were left, one titled "The Day After" and another called "Eight Souls." An unopened envelope was addressed to the family of victims who passed away.

There is a picture of two victims Michelle Fast and Christy Wilson that reads "RIP." One of the salon owner's clients posted a photo of Randy Fannin giving his daughter her first haircut in 1987.

TV cameras and reporters were everywhere. One teary-eyed couple dropped off flowers by the salon, then hurried away. Other stunned mourners kept their distance while stopping by to pay their respects. 

Los Alamitos High School students strung large posters with messages from students and teachers like this one addressed to Fannin: "I'll never forget your haircuts and how you've changed the lives of so many people. You were so loved in this community and will continue to be. My whole family is hurting."

Another smaller memorial of candles and flowers appeared late Wednesday night along Marina Drive. A neighbor of one victim wrote in a card: “I can not make sense of something that makes no sense at all.”

Other bouquets were strewn across the grass outside the business park.

-- Jenna Chandler with updates at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.