Christopher Shahnazari

Sevan Shahnazari keeps a small, orange Bible in his back pocket that belonged to his brother. The name, "Christ," pronounced "Krist," is inscribed in blue pen on the first page.

"Chris shared many tears with this," Shahnazari, 24, said, referring to his 21-year-old brother Christopher Shahnazari, who was shot and killed during a home-invasion robbery Nov. 1 at his Glendale home.

Three men allegedly entered the Shahnazari home on Bruce Street at about 12:35 p.m. Nov. 1 in an attempted robbery, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Shahnazari's mother, who was the only one home at the time, was roughed up -- pushed and shoved -- by the suspects in the attempted robbery, Lorenz said, but did not suffer any serious injuries aside from bruising.

Christopher Shahnazari came home, and was shot when he tried to intervene and help his mother, Lorenz said.

But he has not been forgotten.

The Bible in Sevan Shahnazari's back pocket serves as a reminder of his fallen brother -- something he says helps him keep a connection with the sibling he called his other half.

"Am I never going to kiss this guy?" Sevan Shahnazari said. "Am I never going to hug this guy? It kills me to think that way. But I can't see him with my physical eyes anymore. I have to see him with my spiritual eyes."

In the past two weeks, nearly 700 people have visited the Shahnazari home, to pay their respects, Sevan Shahnazari said, and about 1,000 people attended the funeral last week.

A vigil set up the day after the murder still stands in front of the quiet home. Since then, friends and family have added a number of items to what started as candles set up in the shape of a cross.

A miniature Shrek toy stands near a picture of Christopher Shahnazari.

"Everybody always called him Shrek because he looked like Shrek," Sevan Shahnazari said. "He was a big teddy bear -- a lovable person."

Christopher Shahnazari, a Hoover High School graduate, was in and out of school at the time of the murder, and was helping out at all three of his family's Glendale-based businesses.

He hadn't decided yet what career endeavors he wanted to pursue in his life, Sevan Shahnazari said. And now, he won't get the chance to make that decision.

But that doesn't phase the Shahnazari family -- they know he would have been successful, but more importantly, they know he is in a better place.

And he has left behind a legend.

"Everyone in town is looking at Chris as a role model," Sevan Shahnazari said. "He was murdered saving his mom's life. If God was going to take anybody, Chris was the perfect person to take. He's guaranteed this family's place in the afterlife."

Christopher Shahnazari has become a hero in the eyes of those who knew him, his brother said. And his death has fueled others to become better people, and better Christians -- to live up to the 21-year-old's courageousness and humility.

Although his passing has been almost impossible for friends and family to cope with, faith has been a defining factor in keeping his spirit alive.

"I asked him many, many times to send me messages, so I can feel his spirit is still around," Sevan Shahnazari said.

In the days following his brother's murder, Sevan Shahnazari went to Tower Records to buy one of his brother's favorite CDs. When he ripped open the packaging and opened the CD case, there was no disc inside.

For Sevan Shahnazari, this was one of those signs.

"Besides praying, we really want to make sure his death is just not another death in Glendale," Sevan Shahnazari said.

He has set up a website, www.christthehero.com, that pays tribute to his brother with a 14-minute movie, including photos and clippings of his life.

Sevan Shahnazari is also in the middle of setting up a foundation in his brother's name, which will collect funds to go to Glendale churches.

"This is the only way I can keep a connection with him," Sevan Shahnazari said.