PINECREST, Fla. – The family of the latest American journalist killed by ISIS militants is being embraced by their fellow community members in Pinecrest.
While they continue to grieve the death of their son privately, their home has been a bee hive of activity. And while most of the media has respected the privacy of the family, someone (it is unclear who), flew a camera carrying a drone over their home on Thursday.
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Meanwhile, friends and neighbors have been stopping by, offering their condolences. Delivery trucks and catering companies were also there, delivering food to the home.
The Jewish tradition of Shiva requires seven days of mourning following a death, and since a family sitting Shiva should not prepare meals, it is the responsibility of the Jewish community to feed them.
The Sotloffs are closely tied to nearby Temple Beth Am. In fact, Steven Sotloff went to elementary school there and the temple will have a memorial service for him Friday afternoon that is open to the public.
The Temple is expecting a large turnout of solidarity since video of the horrific beheading of Steven Sotloff by an ISIS terrorist shocked the world and sickened South Floridians.
During a news conference Wednesday, his father was literally holding onto a memory of his son -- a picture of them at a Miami Dolphins game together. That is the Steven they want to remember and treasure.
"Steve was no hero. Like all of us he was a mere man who tried to find good concealed in a world of darkness," read Sotloff family spokesman Barak Barafi.
Gov. Rick Scott ordered that all flags of the United States and the State of Florida be flown at half-staff on Friday in honor and in memory of Steven Sotloff.