David Humiston said, "It hit me like a brick wall of just like this is real, like he's not coming home."
"It's weighed really heavily on my heart."
'"The shirt design says "Justice for our Hero" and then it says "Gannon Strong" at the bottom with a blue ribbon, obviously his favorite color,"' said Humiston. He shared that fellow neighbor Samantha Nelson helped to create the most meaningful part of the design.
"Little image of little cartoon Gannon wearing a super hero cape. It's a simple, but it's a very powerful image, so that's what we chose to put on the top of it."
Humiston says orders started coming in right away on Monday night and as of Thursday night "we had sold about 500 between shirts and hoodies all across the nation...we've had like probably a good handful of people from Canada and then we've had a lot of people from the UK."
It's the same kind of response for another project in honor of Gannon. Jessica Vallia says it started two weeks ago.
"It was supposed to be letters to Gannon. It's since taken a new turn on having the community have a voice in order to send their condolences and to send their prayers to his family in a way that's organized and is going to last longer than just posting on social media," said Vallia.
"We are also asking people from Colorado Springs, Colorado, worldwide if they can send in their pictures, their videos, of all of the support that Gannon has had from day one...we just want to be able to commemorate those things as they continue."
Humiston says the t-shirt project is wrapping up on Saturday night. There's no cut-off right now for sending in pictures and videos. If you're interested in doing that please send items to
jessica@jessicavallia.com.
Services are happening at Restoration Church this Saturday and Sunday for Gannon, his family, and the community.
CLICK HERE for more information.
T-shirt designed for Gannon Stauch, video and picture project organized
“We’re going to show everyone what Colorado is about and what it means to be a family,” said Mr. Mayhem with Virgin Ink Tattoo.
“We are doing $40 hearts for Gannon– he is Colorado’s little Hero,” said Mr. Mayhem.
“If anything like that were ever to happen to my children– I couldn’t imagine my heart goes out to them,” said Shannon Harmon with Virgin Ink Tattoo.
Each person coming into the shop has had their own reason as to why they want the tattoo.
“My son actually knew him— they go to the church we go to — I have spent hours crying over this,” said Candace Kolberg.
“The point behind the tattoo is remembering him– now if someone asks I can share his story,” said Kolberg.
“They will do it until they can’t do anymore,” Mr. Mayhem explained. “If it takes two years, it takes two years so you can always get a Gannon heart here.”
Virgin Ink Tattoo Studio is located at 425 N Circle Dr. in Colorado Springs.
Click here for their website.
Permanent blue hearts in honor of Gannon