NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A large crowd of mourners gathered in front of the Metropolitan Nashville Courthouse on Wednesday for a citywide vigil, two days after a gunman killed three students and three adults at The Covenant School.
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The crowd spilled beyond the courthouse steps and filled the grass plaza in downtown Nashville, The Tennessean reported. Mourners stood with small white candles as city officials and first lady Jill Biden attended the vigil.
Biden visited The Covenant School earlier in the day, according to the newspaper.
Mayor John Cooper was the first speaker at the vigil, calling Monday “our city’s worst day.”
“I so wish we did not need to be here, but we need to be here — together as a community,” Cooper told the crowd.
Three 9-year-old children — Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney — along with school head Katherine Koonce, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak and custodian Mike Hill, were killed when the shooter, identified as Audrey Hale, opened fire after shooting through glass doors to gain entry.
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Hale was killed by Metro Nashville Police Department officers Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo as police were able to take down the shooter within 14 minutes after receiving a 911 call, The Tennessean reported.
Nashville shooting timeline: Shooter’s message to teammate, police response
Cooper told the parents, family members and friends of the victims that they were not alone.
”A grieving city joins you,” Cooper said. “A grieving country.”
Cooper’s comments were echoed by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake.
“Many of us hoped and prayed these evil acts we saw would never happen in Nashville,” Drake said. “We are grateful to the team of officers who rushed into the school building on Monday.”
State Rep. Rev. Harold Love, the final scheduled speaker, read a prayer to honor the victims, according to The Tennessean.
Music during the vigil was played by nine-time Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow, who sang “I Shall Believe.”
Ketch Secor, of Old Crow Medicine Show, sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” Margo Price sang Bob Dylan’s “Tears of Rage.”
An 8-year-old holds a candle at a public vigil for the victims and survivors of the shooting at The Covenant School on Wednesday.
A child holds a candle during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Singer-songwriter Margo Price performs at a candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the lives of the victims, survivors and families of The Covenant School.
Singer-songwriter Ketch Secor performs at a candlelight vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School.
Devon Stewart weeps at a citywide vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School.
People listen during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Roses are held during a vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School.
Candles are lit during a citywide vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School.
A group gathers around a cross to pray during a public vigil for the victims and survivors of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville.
First lady Jill Biden and Nashville Fire Department Chief William Swann attend a candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the lives of the victims, survivors and families of The Covenant School on Wednesday.
People listen during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Nashville Chief of Police John Drake and Nashville Fire Department Chief William Swann attend a candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the lives of the victims, survivors and families of The Covenant School.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper speaks during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School.
People take part in a procession following a citywide vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School.
Hundreds of people attend a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dan Beazley holds the cross he brought from Michigan during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Pictures of the victims killed in a mass shooting on Monday at The Covenant School are fixed to a memorial by Noah Reich, left, and David Maldonado on Wednesday.
A couple embraces at a makeshift memorial for those killed in a mass shooting at the entrance of The Covenant School.
A woman prays at a makeshift memorial for those killed in a mass shooting at the entrance of The Covenant School.
Flowers, balloons, and other items in memory of victims of a mass shooting are left at a makeshift memorial at the entrance of The Covenant School.