STORM2K

A funeral was held Thursday for Firas Eiso, the young man who was killed execution-style at an El Cajon liquor store on March 1.

The service was delayed so the victim's parents could attend, but they were denied entry into the U.S.

The parents are still in Iraq because they were refused travel visas by the U.S. Embassy in Jordan.

Still, many other family members and friends came to St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church for the funeral.


Eiso was killed at the Granada Liquor Store two weeks ago, along with the daughter of the store's owners, Heather Mattia, who was buried last week.

As with the first funeral, hundreds turned out to pay respects.

Dozens of mourners escorted the casket into the church.

The tight-knit community showed its love and respect for a young man who just came to this country just six months ago.

"He used to live with me, and now he's gone. It's been really hard. We're thankful for everyone coming over," said Eiso's cousin Saher Barka.

It was a traditional Chaldean service with just a few words spoken in English.

Eiso and Mattia were executed by armed robbers two weeks ago.

Surveillance cameras caught the crime, but the gunmen remain at large even with a $100,000 reward being offered.

"It's the close of a chapter, not the close of the book. Not until we get the killer who committed this heinous act," siad Eiso's friend Auday Arabo.

There is grief for the victims but another emotion, too. There is disappointment that Eiso's parents couldn't be at the funeral.

"The whole community is very upset. It was handled wrong by the U.S. Consulate," said mourner Tony Ashana.

"He decided not to grant a visa to the parents because he was worried they wouldn't come back," said mourner Sami Jihad.

"It's really hurt us and has made a difficult situation harder. I hope someday his parents can come see his grave," said Eiso's cousin David Barka.

There are still flowers, pictures and candles at the storefront in memory of Eiso and Mattia.

And the significant reward offered for information about their killers could grow even larger.

TexasStooge wrote:Not letting parents attend their child's funeral? That's messed up.

Hurricaneman wrote:That is total rubbish for the parents and I think the parents should sue