UPDATE: The San Bernardino community is coming together today, December 2, 2025, to mark the 10th anniversary of the devastating mass shooting that claimed 14 lives. A solemn gathering is underway at the Curtain of Courage memorial, with around 100 attendees honoring the victims early this morning.
The emotional ceremony includes family members, county officials, and community members, all united in grief and remembrance. Supervisor Curt Hagman addressed the crowd, stating, “The passage of time does not lessen the impact of that day.” This heartfelt gathering reflects the ongoing pain and resilience of a community still healing from the tragedy.
At approximately 10:58 AM, the time the attack began a decade ago, a bell rang 14 times, each toll signifying a victim lost on that tragic day. Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, expressed the enduring impact of the shooting, saying, “Think of all the people who are not here. Their pain may be too much for them to handle.”
The memorial, unveiled in 2022, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives taken. It features unique alcoves, each dedicated to a victim, complete with colored glass panels chosen by their families. Families have inscribed meaningful phrases on benches, preserving the memories of their loved ones.
As mourners approach the memorial, they are met with flowers and heartfelt tributes laid at the base of the engraved names, stirring deep emotions as they reflect on the loss. Liam Ortiz, son of survivor Kevin Ortiz, was seen placing a flower on the names, embodying the personal connections that remain strong within the community.
The San Bernardino shooting occurred on December 2, 2015, when gunman Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik opened fire during a meeting of the county’s Department of Public Health. The tragedy resulted in 14 fatalities and left 22 others injured. Both assailants were killed in a subsequent shootout with police, leaving the community grappling with the aftermath.
In her remarks, Gonzales emphasized the importance of honoring those lost, stating, “We never give up, we never back down. May we honor those that are lost by living with the same courage and compassion this community has shown for the past 10 years.”
Following the public ceremony, an online memorial video and moment of silence are scheduled, allowing those unable to attend in person to participate in the remembrance.
The community has built multiple memorials to honor the victims throughout the Inland Empire, including a peace garden at Cal State San Bernardino, where five victims attended. Each year, the bell at this location is rung 14 times, ensuring their memories are not forgotten.
As the gathering continues, the community remains focused on healing and unity, demonstrating the profound impact of the tragedy and the strength it has fostered among survivors and loved ones. The 10th anniversary serves not only as a somber reminder but also as a call for compassion and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.
The memorial’s significance has only grown over the years, with the community committed to remembering the victims and supporting one another. As the day unfolds, residents reflect on the past while looking towards a future built on the values of courage and togetherness.
Stay tuned for more updates as the San Bernardino community honors the memory of the victims of the December 2, 2015, mass shooting.
