Daughter pays tribute to her father's life

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The daughter of a Fresno man who was killed on Independence Day is paying tribute to her father's life. Close family and friends gathered at a vigil to honor a Fresno man killed while waiting to spend time with his kids on July 4th.

Police say 45-year-old Raymond Fisher was murdered in Central Fresno. They arrested 38 year old Vance Sams in connection with the murder.

On Wednesday night Fisher's family gathered for a vigil. Among them ws 15 year-old Kayliah Fisher who has struggled ever since her father's death. "Just everything about him because that's my dad. Nobody wants to lose their dad," said Fisher.

Relatives say Fisher was planning to take his kids to a July 4th barbecue when he was murdered. At the memorial they shared photos and stories of a man who would do anything for his family. "In all my life of knowing Raymond, I have never known him to be a hostile person, always gentle, always kind, always passionate," said Cardell Young.

Fresno police say Sams who is in a relationship with the mother of Fisher's three children was the killer. Investigators believe domestic problems may have been the motive. During the vigil Fisher's oldest teenage daughter told us she has a message for Sams who is in jail and betrayed their trust forever. "I think he needs to stay in there for a long time. I want to know why he did that. I thought he was a cool person until he took my dad away from me," said Fisher.

Sams has said he is not guilty. He is scheduled back in court later this month.