Bellaire Community Gathers in Prayer for Cesar Cortes

Hundreds of Bellaire High School students, parents and community members held candles and participated in a solemn service on Wednesday evening honoring Cesar Cortes, who was killed on Bellaire High School’s campus the day prior.

Cesar, a Bellaire High School senior who was set to join the army after graduating this year, was tragically shot at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. In response, Bellaire community members immediately came together to organize a service to pray and grieve for the Cortes family. 

“Tonight in Bellaire, we grieve a terrible tragedy, the depth of which I struggle to fathom,” Bellaire Mayor Andrew Friedberg said to the crowd. “There are no words that can adequately capture the extent and intensity of emotions we are feeling and the magnitude of our heartfelt sympathy for a family in mourning.[…] Though I feel short on words at this time of great sorrow, what I do have is community. I do not underestimate the power of our coming together to support each other as friends and as neighbors and to raise our collective voices as one in prayer.”  

Bellaire High School student Brenda Monroy made this sign to honor classmate Cesar Cortes. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

The non-denominational service included prayers from Dr. Roger Patterson, Senior Pastor of West U Baptist and Crosspoint Church – Bellaire as well as from Seann Duffin of Bellaire United Methodist Church. Rabbi Brian Strauss of Congregation Beth Yeshurun and Rabbi Ranon Teller of Congregation Brith Shalom also offered prayers and song. 

Cortes’ family, including his mother Cecilia Diaz, older brother Dylan Cortes and several cousins were in attendance. Dylan, who graduated from Bellaire in 2016, addressed the community, thanking them for attending the service.  

“It fills my heart knowing that my brother is looking from above right now watching all of us,” Dylan said. “Watching every one of you pray for him and be here for him. I will miss him.”

Community members sing “Amazing Grace” to close out the candlelight service. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

The service concluded with the community singing “Amazing Grace” together. 

Earlier in the day, Bellaire High School students gathered in Evelyn’s Park to make posters for the family and to plan a student-led walk-out, which will take place on Friday.  

Editor’s Note: Watch the complete service here on The Buzz Facebook page.