Hundreds take part in parade to mark first birthday of boy who lost both parents in El Paso shooting

A boy who lost both of his parents in a mass shooting at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart last year has celebrated his first birthday – and he did not celebrate it alone.

Paul Gilbert Anchondo was only two months old when his parents were killed while protecting him from a mass shooter.

His relatives wanted his first birthday to be special, so they began planning an event for him. When word got out that there were plans for a birthday celebration, people in his town took interest and asked for ways to get involved.

The president of the Muertos MC motorcycle club told CBS15 News that he grew up with the Anchondos, and so he decided to do something to celebrate Paul's first birthday.

Motorcyclists joined in on the celebration, riding their bikes in a procession past Paul and his family. People in pickup trucks joined the celebration, driving by while displaying signs bearing birthday well wishes and encouragement for the one-year-old.

"Unfortunately his parents aren't going to be here to celebrate his birthday with him, so we're going to step up and make sure he has a great first year birthday," motorcyclist Eduardo Prieto said.

Gilbert Anchondo, Paul's grandfather, said he hoped when Paul is old enough to look back on the event, that he'll see that he was always loved and supported by his community.

"We want him to remember that everybody here in the El Paso area and our community is supporting him, that he's not by himself," Mr Anchondo said.

Paul, dressed in blue and gold regalia - including a crown bearing his name - watched the parade from the sidewalk with his family, occasionally waving to people as they drove past.

"[Paul] is a symbol of the goodness that came out of [the shooting] because he brought everyone even more so together," motorcyclist Joshua Hernandez said.

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