By PAUL GUTIERREZ (KYMA)

IMPERIAL — The neighborhood at the 2300 block of Sierra Court in Imperial was packed with about 50 mourners Monday paying tribute to Edmund "Bubba" Gutierrez at a candlelight vigil. The 22-year-old lost his life last week after authorities say he tried to get into a fight with a pair of officers, then resisted help from paramedics who arrived later. Gutierrez's family, however, is skeptical of the claims made by the Imperial Police Department.

"He was never a violent person," said Dori Contreras, Gutierrez's aunt, who was in attendance at the vigil. "He got along with everybody no matter who you were or what color you were. That was Bubba."

Also showing up to the vigil was Gutierrez's parents. It marked the first time they made a public appearance following their son's death last week at El Centro Regional Medical Center. The two were noticeably shaken, but watched on as organizers played songs recorded by Gutierrez and led prayers requesting justice for Bubba.

A deputy coroner tells News 11 a cause of death won't be determined until a toxicology report is released, which could take several days. In the meantime, family and friends say they'll continue to schedule benefits for Gutierrez while they seek out what really happened. Two events have been planned at the IV Night Club on July 15th and July 22nd with a third slated to occur at the Imperial Airport on July 23rd.