LGBTQ community holds candlelight vigil for SLO County man killed in alleged hate crime
More than 50 people gathered at the Gala Pride & Diversity Center on Friday evening to mourn the loss of Todd Pinion, a San Luis Obispo County man killed in an alleged hate crime last month.
Pinion, 34, was found dead Nov. 3 in a remote area near Tassajara Creek around a week after he had been reported missing on Oct. 30. Spock, his dog who never left his side, was also found dead at the bottom of the Cuesta Grade Oct. 31.
With Jimi Hendrix’s “Angel” playing, the assembled crowd — including Pinion’s mother Melody Pinion, members of the Pinion family, District Attorney Dan Dow and other members of the San Luis Obispo County community — raised candles into the evening air and celebrated Pinion’s life.
Melody said she knew her son would be remembered as a “beautiful soul” who was never far from happiness.
“I would like to thank everybody for coming as we mourn Todd and we hope to seek the justice that he deserves,” Melody said ahead of the vigil. “As a mother, I knew him differently from how all of you knew — my daughter knew him differently as his sister, but everybody mourns, and as you know, as friends of Todd, you’re mourning him as much as I am.”
Brenan McIntyre, a San Luis Obispo County resident who knew Pinion since the first grade, said Pinion was a “wonderful person” who brought happiness and joy to McIntyre and his brothers in their youth.
“We grew up with him throughout high school and college — we always hung out, and so we sort of separated a little bit when we got older, but we still stayed in contact,” McIntyre said. “I was actually gonna meet up with him at the beach and introduce him to my fiance and our baby.”
McIntyre said he was glad the District Attorney’s Office has arrested a suspect in the weeks following Pinion’s death, even though it won’t make up for the time he won’t get to spend with him.
At the vigil, Dow said his office takes hate crimes seriously and is committed to delivering justice for the Pinion family.
“No parent should ever have to bury their children, no matter what age, and so my heart goes out to you, and our whole community stands with you and we can assure you that we will never forget Todd Joseph Pinion and his canine companion Spock who he loved a lot, and our hearts are with you tonight,” Dow said. “Tonight, our community stands firm and strong against any kind of violence, particularly what we saw here — the horrific, hateful violence that ended Todd’s life long before he ever should have gone from us.”
Tyler Stevens, 21, has since been charged with Pinion’s murder and animal cruelty. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office alleged Stevens killed Pinion because of his “actual or perceived sexual orientation.”
A fundraiser was organized for Pinion’s family to help support them during this time. To donate, visit mealtrain.com/dddmd4.
