Aztec High memorial services this weekend

The families of the two teenagers who were shot and killed by a gunman during a shooting at Aztec High School last week are holding funeral services for them this weekend.

The service for Francisco “Paco” Fernandez, 17, will be held Friday at Piñon Hills Community Church in Farmington.

Services for Casey J. Marquez, 17, will be held on Sunday at San Juan College in the Henderson Fine Arts Building.

Fernandez and Marquez were killed on Thursday when investigators say 21-year-old William Atchison pretended to be a student at Aztec High School and brought a gun into the building with plans to take a classroom hostage. The 17-year-olds were the only victims and no one else was injured.

Jamie Saavedra, president of New Mexico Council of Car Clubs, said a Fernandez family friend reached out to her Monday morning to ask for her help in getting lowrider cars to attend the services.

She said the woman told her Fernandez loved the unique cars.

“We’re trying to make the event as special as it can be considering the circumstances,” Saavedra said.

She said the plan is to have the cars escort the family and casket to the cemetery.

Schools throughout the Aztec district remained closed Monday, but classes at Lydia Rippey Elementary, McCoy Elementary, Mosaic Academy, Park Avenue Elementary, Koogler Middle School and Vista Nueva High School resumed today, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

“Return dates to school for AHS students will be provided as information becomes available,” according to the sheriff’s office Facebook page.