Hundreds, including Gov. Mike DeWine, gather to honor a 20-year-old student whose life touched a community
Springfield, Ohio, October 3, 2026
Hundreds of people filled St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield today to say goodbye to Pierre Damas Bel, the 20-year-old Wright State University student whose death on August 31 has moved the Haitian community and many others across the region.
Leaders stand with the family
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine attended the service and sat beside Springfield Mayor Rob Rue. The funeral home Mayor Rue owns, Littleton & Rue Funeral Home and Crematory, conducted the service. Community leaders, elected officials, classmates, faith leaders and members of Springfield's Haitian community also filled the sanctuary.
State Rep. Latyna Humphrey of Columbus urged those gathered to carry Pierre's memory forward by advocating for change, saying his death must not be in vain.
A service of grief and love
The service was somber and at times passionate. Pastor Carl Ruby of Central Christian Church led it in English, Singer Harriett Cecilia Joseph filled the church with songs in both languages, and many in the congregation joined in. Classmates laid flowers on Pierre's casket.
Messages from Pierre's family were read aloud. His father, Pierre Ronal Bel, wrote that his son was "my everything" and told mourners, "I feel like I lost everything." He said that every time the front door of the family home opens, he feels for a moment that Pierre is coming home.
Remembering who Pierre was
Friends and mentors spoke of a young man of great promise. Born in Tiburon, Haiti, Pierre graduated with honors from Springfield High School, was active in JROTC and was co-captain of the varsity soccer team. He earned a full soccer scholarship to Wittenberg University before transferring to Wright State, where he was studying neuroscience. His mentor Yola Lamarre of the Haitian Community Network of Columbus said he dreamed of building a hospital in Haiti.
Pastor Ruby, reading from Pierre's obituary, said he leaves a legacy of love, family devotion, intellectual promise, service and kindness. A life, he said, is measured not only by its length but by how deeply and generously it was lived.
Different views on the circumstances
Pierre's family and advocates say the shame of wearing a GPS ankle monitor required by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with teasing from fellow students, weighed heavily on him. Several speakers at the service echoed that view. ICE has strongly denied that its policies led to his death, and it says individuals are evaluated case by case for monitoring.
Our community's response
At Let's Save Our Community, we grieve with the Bel family and with everyone who loved Pierre. His life shows how much a young person can offer when a community believes in him, and his death reminds us how much weight young people can carry quietly. We invite our neighbors to check on one another, to welcome newcomers and to make sure no young person feels alone.