'They were here to experience America, and they went home in a coffin' (with VIDEO)

FORT WALTON BEACH - One day after Francisco Cofre was to learn of the death of his fiancé, Racine Balbontín-Argandoña, the Emerald Coast honored her life.

A memorial service was held in Liza Jackson Park in memory of Balbontín-Argandoña, 22, and Nicolás Pablo Corp-Torres, 23, victims of the Feb. 26 shooting that shocked Northwest Florida.

Dannie Baker, 60, fired into the Summer Lake townhome complex killing the two Chilean students and wounding three others.

Baker is in the Walton County Jail awaiting an April 21 plea date where his lawyer expects to enter a written plea of not guilty. He's being held on two murder charges, assault with a deadly weapon and firing missiles into a dwelling.

Baker was known for being outspoken about his disdain for illegal immigration.

"These kids had nothing to do with immigration or politics," said Grace Resendez McCaffery, president and CEO of La Costa Latina magazine, which organized the memorial to help the community heal.

"They were beautiful, they were bright, they were young," McCaffery said. "They were here to experience America, and they went home in a coffin. I just don't think we could've gone without some acknowledgment of that."

Cofre, 25, could not attend Sunday's ceremony. He is listed in fair condition at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola after being shot in the head and neck during the incident.

Sebastian Arizaga, 27, was released from the hospital Tuesday after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand and shoulder. He is in Maryland with family.

David Alonzo Bilbao, 21, attended Sunday's ceremony after doctors removed the bullet that had been lodged in his left arm. In a few years, the biomedical engineering student will be working to heal the arms of others.

As a choir sang a bilingual rendition of Amazing Grace, Bilbao sat in the front row staring at the pictures of his slain friends.

Through an interpreter, he later said that he had not felt the reality of their deaths until the service.

"This was good for the healing process. I know I have to get over this tragedy," he said.

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To hear David in his own words, click here.

To read a story based on a Log interview with David, click here.

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In addition to the service, two accounts have been set up to benefit the students and their families. Fort Walton Beach resident Luis Ramos started an account at Eglin Federal Credit Union. Former State Sen. Charlie Clary started an account at Beach Community Bank.

Donations can be made at any branch. Mention the money should go to the Chilean students.

On the night of the attack, the students were planning excursions to other parts of the United States. Bilbao said he and Corp-Torres were looking forward to a trip to New Orleans before their March 8 return home.

Bilbao will remain in the United States until pins are removed from his arm. He has no plans to make that trip to New Orleans but says he will return to the United States and encourage others to visit.

"This perpetrator is not what I know of the rest of the United States," Bilbao said. "Now, they have two angels that are going to watch over them when they travel."