DOWAGIAC — The parking lot of the Dowagiac Eagles building on East Railroad Street was overflowing Saturday afternoon with people looking to support the family of a recently lost community member.

The Dowagiac Eagles hosted a Blues and BBQ fundraiser Saturday for the family of “Jimmy” Fabian Wesaw, who was the treasurer for the Dowagiac Eagles prior to his recent death. All money raised will go toward supporting Wesaw’s children, organizers said. 

Wesaw was killed after a shooter shot into a crowd the morning of Sunday, July 29 in the parking lot where the vigil was hosted. The shooting took place after a fight inside the Beeson Street Bar on July 29 spilled out into the parking lot and a shooter fired several shots into a crowd, hitting and killing Wesaw. According to police, Wesaw was not involved in the fight, but was attempting to break up the fight prior to his death. The suspected shooter, Rolandis Russell, 24, of Dowagiac, has been charged with first-degree murder.

“[Wesaw] was our treasurer and a close friend of all the officers here,” said Richard Haines, secretary of the Dowagiac Eagles. “[Wesaw] brought a smile to your face always. He brightened up a room any time he walked in. … He actually started this, because it was his idea to have a Blues and BBQ event. Unfortunately, he isn’t here to see it.”

At the time of publication, the Dowagiac Eagles had raised $3,200 for the Wesaw family, with more donations still coming in. Haines said the Eagles would do the same for any of its members.

“We are a community here,” he said. “We want to take care of the family.”

Wesaw’s family said they were grateful not only to the Dowagiac Eagles for the fundraiser, but for the support the community has given them during this time, adding that the family has received condolences from all across the country.

“It’s amazing to see so many people come here and support our family and his children,” said Wesaw’s sister Tracy, of Dowagiac. “It’s been nothing but an outpouring of love and prayers.”

Tracy said that if Wesaw were still able to be at the fundraiser Saturday, he would have been touched to see all those who had come out to remember him and support his children.

“He made friends everywhere he went,” she said. “He loved to laugh and make jokes. He wanted to see everyone smile. It didn’t matter who you were, he made you feel like you knew him forever.”