A night of prayer, tears, and words of encouragement, as hundreds gathered in Public Square Park downtown to lift up those impacted by Monday's deadly school shooting.
MNPD Chief Drake read off the names: Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9, Mike Hill, 61, William Kinney, 9, Katherine Koonce, 60, Cynthia Peak, 61, and Hallie Scruggs, 9. A community was brought to tears tonight to honor those names.
"A covenant is a promise and the Green Hills and greater community of Nashville has already made one," Councilmember Rus Pulley said. "A promise to stand with one another during this time."
Standing together for The Covenant School was exactly what happened, with some reminded to hug their loved ones a little tighter.
A Midstate grandfather says, "I waited for a period of time and I went over an gave my daughter a hug."
This Midstate grandfather of three is urging others to do the same.
We all know these tragic expressions 'hug your kids every day, tell them you love them' we all say that how many practice it? To know in the flash of a second it could be history.
At Public Square Park Monday night he was joined by the first lady, first responders and city leaders.
"Nashville had it's worst today," said Mayor Cooper. "Our heart is broken."
Students and teachers hoped the vigil would unite one another.
It’s just kind of surreal how this is happening again and again," one former teacher said. "It just feels kind of numbing. Just praying for people to come together in this time and not be divided.
The citywide prayer vigil hosted by Mayor Cooper and Councilmember Rus Pulley also brought in emotional performances from singers like Sheryl Crow, Margo Price, and more.
Red Cross was also at the prayer vigil, along with Lutheran Church Charities' comfort dogs.
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