New York, Feb 1 (IANS): The family and friends of an Indian-origin man in California, who was killed in a police firing, gathered at a candlelight vigil in his memory.

Parminder Singh Shergill, a 43 year-old army veteran, was shot and killed by two police officers Jan 25 at Lodi in San Joaquin county, California, after he allegedly charged at two veteran officers with a knife.

The candlelight vigil was held at the Deshmesh Darbar Sikh temple in south Lodi Friday, media reported.

Friends said Parminder suffered an episode of post-traumatic stress, and a family member called police.

This was not the first time officers had come to suppress his behavioral outbreaks.

"It happened so fast, he just turned around, and they started shooting," Fox 40 News quoted Cassandra Lopez, who witnessed the entire shooting as saying.

"I didn’t see any weapon in his hand at all,” she added.

Friends said this is how veterans are treated here after serving the country.

“If anybody out there, has any other relative, who is facing this kind of illness, post-war syndrome, please do not hesitate to get help,” one of the victim's friends said.

“I believe on a personal basis, I let him down,” he added.

The names of the two officers, who shot Shergill, have not yet been released.

They were placed on leave till Wednesday, but now they are back on duty.