LEWISTON (NEWS CENTER Maine) — More than 100 people gathered Thursday in Lewiston's Kennedy Park. They came out for a barbecue to celebrate the life of a man who died after a large brawl near the park last week.
According to his family, Donny Giusti would have loved this.
Giusti’s brother and uncle told NEWS CENTER Maine that Giusti loved barbecues, music, laughing, joking and most of all he loved his family. His family decided that Kennedy Park – where Giusti got a rock thrown at his face and later died of his injuries – would be the perfect place to honor and celebrate him.
Related: Man dies from injuries sustained in brawl at Lewiston's Kennedy Park
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A great way to send a message that violence will not be tolerated in this neighborhood.
Brian Veres, Giusti’s brother said.
"People don’t stop to think everyone has differences and to bring it to that level where someone loses their life is not worth it," he said. "This is a beautiful park and there is no reason why everyone can’t enjoy it together."
A vigil was held later in the evening.
The investigation, meanwhile, continues. Police say it's a complex one — there are a lot of witnesses to interview, many of them juveniles and in some cases there’s a language barrier.
They are reminding people it has only been a week.
Police said people in the community are being helpful and coming forward, especially in the past couple of days. And that they’re confident they’re making significant strides in this case.