IN LOVING MEMORY: Vigils Planned Across Multiple States to Honor Sam Nordquist
In response to Nordquist’s death, multiple vigils have been organized across the country. Here's the details:
Community members in several states are organizing vigils this week to remember Sam Nordquist, a Minnesota man who was tortured and killed in Ontario County, New York. The events aim to honor Nordquist’s memory, provide a space for mourning, and bring awareness to the circumstances surrounding his death.
Nordquist traveled from Minnesota to New York in September 2024 and lost contact with his loved ones. Authorities later determined he had been staying at Patty’s Lodge in Ontario County. In February 2025, investigators discovered he had been killed, with his body found in Yates County. Officials reported that Nordquist endured prolonged abuse between December 2024 and February 2025. Five individuals—Precious Arzuaga, Jennifer Quijano, Kyle Sage, Patrick Goodwin, and Emily Motyka—have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Sam, who was transgender, has sparked a wave of consciousness toward targeted violence that trans people statistically endure over their cisgendered counterparts. The Ontario County District Attorney’s Office has stated that there is no indication the crime was motivated by hate per the State’s definition and classification of hate crimes at this point in their investigation.
In response to Nordquist’s death, multiple vigils have been organized across the country:
Monday, February 17, 2025
🔹 Sam Nordquist Candlelight Vigil
📍 Wood Library, 134 N Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424
🕗 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
🔹 Justice for Sam Nordquist - Candlelight Vigil
📍 Central Park Band Shell, 1523 Central Park St, Red Wing, MN 55066
🕗 8:00 PM EST
🔹 Justice for Sam: Sam Nordquist Vigil
📍 Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55155
🕗 8:00 PM EST
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
🔹 Silent Vigil for Sam Nordquist
📍 Phelps Arts Center, 15 Church Street, Phelps, NY 14532
🕕 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
🔹 Candlelight Vigil for Sam Nordquist
📍 The Presbyterian Church, Park Place, Geneva, NY 14456
🕕 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
Thursday, February 20, 2025
🔹 Candlelight Vigil for Sam Nordquist
📍 Main Plaza Downtown, 111 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130
🕖 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
Organizers of these vigils invite community members to attend, show support, and pay their respects to Nordquist’s memory. Many of the events will include moments of silence, candlelight ceremonies, and words from local advocates.
For more details on each vigil, attendees are encouraged to check event pages on social media. If you have information on more events honoring Sam, email us so we can help spread the word.