Houstonians honor victims in Nice, France, attack

HOUSTON – The more than 80 lives lost during a terrorist attack in Nice, France were remembered Saturday night at a vigil in downtown Houston.

“My mom lives in France, and she was watching fireworks,” Sebastien Boileau said. “It could have been her. She was in a different city in the south. It could’ve happened anywhere. It could’ve happened down the street."

Boileau has lived in the United States for 10 years, but he said France is home. He was one of many people outside Houston City Hall for the ceremony.

The tragedy unfolded on Bastille Day, which is often compared to Independence Day in the United States.

Gabriella Rowe serves as head of The Village School, which is an international school in west Houston, and she has talked with children about the violence. Since the attack happened, she's been trying to answer their questions.

"Why did it happen, again, and how is this going to stop?" Rowe said. "How are we going to end it? Such violence is inexplicable."

As people try to understand it, they hope and pray for a better tomorrow.

"You realize that times are changing, so we have to adapt," Boileau said. "I don't know what that means — the word adapting — but we're going to have to find ways to fix the problems."

The City Hall building was lit with the colors of the French flag. The lights will remain in place throughout the weekend.