PUYALLUP - Today's memorial for murder victim Jim Sanders was overflowing with emotion and hundreds of people. But, one person who showed up was a bit of a surprise, the father of one of the suspects.
Alan Higashi's son Kiyoshi is one of four people accused of killing Sanders inside his Edgewood home late last month. Alan himself was jailed earlier this week, before his son's arrest, after Police suspected him of withholding information.
Higashi told Q13 Fox News he felt compelled to pay his respects to the Sanders family and what role his son might have played in Jim Sanders' death.
"It's all like it's not real, but, I know it's real I'd seen the video Jim was a good guy he didn't deserve to die," said Higashi.
When asked if his son is the man who killed Jim Sanders Higashi had this to say.
"He said he's not the trigger man but that's irrelevant, they're all guilty regardless he pulled the trigger or not, they're all guilty," said Higashi.
According to Higashi if his son was involved in Jim Sanders' murder he must be held accountable.
"Whatever happens with my son if he's found guilty and if Jesus and the court system feels they need to take his life then they need to take his life. But, it doesn't make anything better, it doesn't bring Jim back, Jim was a good guy," said Higashi.
Bethany Baptist Church was packed beyond capacity this afternoon for the memorial. There were plenty of hugs and tears as family and friends remembered Sanders as a good man who made a big impact in his community.
His father James talked about the pain of not having his son anymore.
"To lose a loved one a son especially now for me is tremendously heartbreaking, but, I'm gonna be with him in a short time," said Sanders.
Surrounded by loved ones and a church congregation of hundreds Jim Sanders' family said their final goodbyes to the Edgewood Husband and Father who was murdered in his home. His brother Derek remembered Sanders as a caring man.
"I can only hope to be the kind of man he was I deeply love and miss you and I always will Jimmy until we meet again in God's glory, I love you Jimmy," said Sanders.
A week and a half ago the Sanders family were the victims of a home invasion robbery while trying to sell a diamond ring on Craigslist. Sanders was shot and killed as he protected his family. His son Jimmy said his Dad made a big impact on his life.
"My Dad is my hero and his spirit will always live within me. Four evil people took my Dad from me, but he is now in heaven and has eternal peace," said Sanders.
Four suspects have now been charged with his murder. Today, his widow Charlene expressed sorrow over losing her best friend.
"Because I loved Jim so much, I'm going to go through this life by myself without him, my man at my side, but I'll never be alone," said Sanders.
Before today's memorial service a procession of trucks arrived from where Jim Sanders worked. His coworkers wanted to show their love and support for his family.
Out of such a horrific crime the family says they've turned to their faith for healing and to give forgiveness to the people that took Jim's life. It's something his father James says Jim talked about in bible study just days before his death.
"I can't forgive a murderer and he says you can forgive anybody, Jim would be the first person to forgive these people," said Sanders.
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