GVSU advisor 'would not give up'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - As police work to solve his killing, Santiago Zapata was remembered as a good friend, colleague and brother.

A celebration of Zapata's life was held at Grand Valley State University's Loosemore Auditorium on the DeVos Campus Tuesday afternoon. Among those who offered his memories of the GVSU advisor was Derek King.

"(Zapata) will not give up. He has that, 'No, there's another way. It may be harder. But there's another way," he said.

Now 30 years old, King was 13 when Zapata began mentoring him as part of GVSU's Upward Bound Program, which identifies and helps student who have the potential to go to college, but don't come from families with strong college backgrounds.

King talked about the challenges of having a low grade point average,  two children and a mom to support in his senior year of high school. He figured college was out of the question.

But Zapata wouldn't give up on him. In King's words, Zapata refused to believe people were a product of their environment.

"I went to college. Married 10 years. Still married. Three kids. I feel like a testament to what he has put into me," King said.

Zapata's body was found last Tuesday in his home on Myrtle NW. Investigators will only say he died from traumatic injuries.

There were no signs of forced entry to his home, meaning he either left the door unlocked or let his killer in.

No one's been arrested, but on Monday Grand Rapids police said they have identified a person of interest in the killing.

Zapata's brother George also spoke at Tuesday's service. He had a message for his brother's killer.

"To the individuals, or individual, I have no vengeance for you, towards you," George Zapata said. "I hope mercy is extended to you on that day,for I refuse to be bitter or angry. I refuse to go there. "