Fundraiser Sunday to support victims of Westlake High School tragedy

Staff reports
·2 min read
People hug at the Westlake High School memorial for Wesley Welling, 15, on Wednesday, the day after he was killed and three other students were injured by a driver who hit them near the campus. A community fundraiser Sunday night at The Canyon will benefit victims' families.
People hug at the Westlake High School memorial for Wesley Welling, 15, on Wednesday, the day after he was killed and three other students were injured by a driver who hit them near the campus. A community fundraiser Sunday night at The Canyon will benefit victims' families.

The Canyon club in Agoura Hills is hosting a community fundraiser Sunday for victims of Tuesday’s collision that left a Westlake High School student dead and three other students injured.

The benefit, which will feature live music and a silent auction, runs from 5-9 p.m. at The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills. All proceeds will go to the affected students’ families, organizers said. Funds will be distributed by the Conejo Schools Foundation.

Admission is free, with donations accepted at the door. Food and drinks will be available to buy. All ages are welcome.

In a statement, Canyon owner Lance Sterling said the venue and its sister locations have a history of hosting fundraisers for surrounding communities, schools and charities after wildfires and other disasters.

“At this moment in time, my heart goes out to the victims of these terrible tragedies, and I am proud to be able to step up and do something to help,” Sterling said.

On Tuesday afternoon, 24-year-old Austin Eis allegedly initiated a series of violent attacks when stabbing and pepper-spraying a Walmart employee in Simi Valley and attempting to drag off another worker before threatening people at a relative’s home in Camarillo, authorities say.

Eis then intentionally drove his car into a group of Westlake High students at a bus stop across from the Thousand Oaks campus, killing 15-year-old Wesley Welling and injuring three other teens, officials allege. He was charged with murder and other offenses on Thursday in Ventura County Superior Court, but hasn't yet entered a plea.

Sunday’s benefit will raise funds for the Westlake High victims, organizers said. All funds will go directly to the nonprofit Conejo Schools Foundation and will be distributed as needed to families of students directly impacted by Tuesday’s incident.

Separately, an online GoFundMe campaign to raise funeral expenses for Welling’s family had brought in more than $245,000 as of Saturday morning, far exceeding its goal of $15,000 as the tragedy attracted widespread news coverage.

For more information on Sunday’s community fundraiser, call the Canyon’s box office at 888-645-5006.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Benefit Sunday will support victims of Westlake High School tragedy