Dozens of people gathered on the trail spanning Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock March 25 to celebrate the life of Henry “Hank” King, 48.
Friends from all walks of King’s life came together to share stories and memories of their time knowing King.
King, who was unhoused, was shot to death on March 12 on the boardwalk connecting Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock. No one has yet been arrested in the case.
King frequented Boulevard Park, where he could often be found on a trailside bench that looked out onto Bellingham Bay. Attendees gathered around that same bench, where flowers, baseball cards, candles and other tokens of remembrance had accumulated.
People were hugging, shaking hands and catching up — the event was not only a celebration of King’s life, but for many, a reunion of childhood friends, said Evanne Sanders, King’s longtime friend.
Friends recalled memories of growing up with King, and their shared passion of skateboarding. A skateboard was passed around the crowd for attendees to sign. Afterward, it was placed amid the numerous bouquets on King’s bench.
Jason and Evanne Sanders, organizers of the celebration, wore T-shirts that depicted the silhouette of a skateboarder along with the words, “Justice for Henry.”
A $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information about King’s death.