A vigil took place in Burton to pray for an end to violence Sunday night, hours after a mass shooting and fire at a Grand Blanc Township church claimed five lives, including that of the gunman, and left eight others hospitalized.
The vigil, which had been planned several weeks in advance, was organized by the Genesee County Republican Party as a reaction to violent incidents such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
On the football field of Holy Redeemer Church in Burton, dozens of people from around Genesee County held candles to collectively pray for the United States and those affected by violence.
Pastor Christopher Thoma speaks at a GOP-sponsored prayer vigil in Burton, hours after a mass shooting attack at a church in nearby Grand Blanc Township on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Speakers included pastor Christopher Thoma, who spoke about his personal relationship with Kirk, and state Rep. David Martin, who represents the 68th District.
While the vigil was not planned in response to the shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, attendees and speakers expressed grief over the incident.
Pastor Timothy Hicks of Christian Love Faith Center in Flint attended the vigil to show support and come together with other Christians. He heard the news of the shooting while leading service at his own church and paused to lead his congregation in praying for the Grand Blanc church.
“You can only imagine how devastating it is when you think you’re in a place of safety, a place of worship and then all of a sudden lives are taken at the sound of a gunshot,” Hicks said.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Vigil held in Burton to pray for peace, hours after church shooting