Reedley family brutally killed is remembered during emotional candlelight vigil

They were shocked and hurt and confused.

That’s how many members of the Reedley community described how they felt while gathered Friday evening for a candlelight vigil that honored a fellow Reedley family that was brutally killed.

In a home lived by three generations of Bond family members, an 81-year-old grandfather and his son, as well as a grandson and granddaughter-in-law, all were found dead.

And the person who Reedley police arrested and believe is responsible for the killings is a 17-year-old who lived next door to the family.

“It’s pretty sad for our community,” longtime Reedley resident Francisco Bustamante said. “Those are good people there, and nobody has the right to take their life away.”

Reedley police identified the victims as Billy Bond, 81, his 61-year-old son, Darrell, 43-year-old grandson, Matthew, and 44-year-old granddaughter-in-law, Guadalupe.

“Lupe,” in particular, was quite active in the community, including with a cancer fundraiser organization and her church, according to candlelight vigil attendees.

“She was always a giving person, always helping,” said Darla Gonzalez, who worked with Lupe as part of a cancer fundraiser organization. “If somebody needed help around the holidays, they would help. If somebody needed a Christmas tree, she would help find a Christmas tree and presents.”

Other community members among the 300-plus people who attended the candlelight vigil shared their own stories and memories of the Bond family.

A few people held candles high.

Some held tears.

A day before the candle vigil, the 17-year-old accused of murdering the Bond family entered a not guilty plea in court.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is petitioning to try the teen as an adult.

The judge overseeing the case has not yet decided.

“It was a shock and it still is,” Gonzalez said. “It’s been a roller coaster with all the updates every single day.”

Reedley Chief Joe Garza praised the community for coming out to support relatives and friends of the Bond family.

“For the City of Reedley to come forward (for) people who they may not have even known … it just says so much about this community,” Garza said. “People who live in Reedley, we’re a big family.”

Still, Reedley residents like Bustamante couldn’t help but wonder how or why this quadruple homicide happened in their community.

“This is a good community,” said Bustamante, who’s lived in Reedley for 33 years and has a home a couple of blocks from the Bond family’s residence. “Crimes happen everywhere. But you never think … you’d have that type of crime in town, especially with one of your neighbors.

“That’s really bad. … Now, we don’t know what is next. Or who is next.”

This story was originally published January 12, 2024 at 10:06 PM.