Bikers honor Fiamma shooting victim with 'one last ride'

Kevin Lawson, 46, killed in workplace shooting last month

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The son of one of the victims killed in the Fiamma shooting almost one month ago thanked the dozens of bikers from U.S. military organizations who gathered from across Central Florida Saturday to remember his father.

“Thank you guys for being here. I really appreciate it,” David Doty, the son of Kevin Lawson, said.

A 46-year-old Army veteran, Kevin Lawson was one of five employees who was shot and killed at Fiamma Inc. June 5 when John Robert Neumann Jr., 45, a disgruntled ex-employee, opened fire inside the business before he took his own life, Orange County deputies said.



Kim Lacore, one of several of Lawson’s close friends who gathered for an honor ride Saturday, said it’s been hard knowing how his life was taken, but that this final ride was the perfect way to say goodbye.

“It's just awesome that we have such a great turnout. I can't believe there's so many people here,” Lacore said. “I think it's great."

Doty agreed and said his father loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles, making the ride that much more meaningful.

“He loved riding motorcycles, so for us to be able to take him on one last ride to spread his ashes, I think, is pretty symbolic," Doty said.

During the ride, Lawson’s ashes were safely tucked away in the saddlebag of his dream bike, which his family said he had just purchased three months ago.

“I know my dad is here watching. He's here with us in spirit and I know he's got a smile from ear to ear to see this many people and this many bikes come out,” Doty said.

The motorcyclists hugged, shared memories of Lawson and prayed, asking for a blessing over their bikes before Lawson’s last ride to his final resting place at the Daytona Beach pier.

A GoFundme page has been set up in Lawson's honor.


About the Author:

Loren Korn is a native Texan who joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2014. She was born and raised in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Journalism.

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