HOUSTON – Houstonians gathered for a vigil on Sunday to mourn the 29 victims of a pair of mass shootings that have happened in America over the span of just 13 hours.
March For Our Lives Houston posted on Facebook that the vigil began at 6 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. The address is 600 Pecore St.
A gunman killed 20 people Saturday at a Walmart in El Paso. More than two dozen people were injured in the rampage.
Another gunman killed nine people early Sunday in a popular nightlife district in Dayton, Ohio. Police responding to the gunfire killed the shooter. More than two dozen people were injured in the shooting.
City leaders get vocal about gun violence
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston chief of police Art Acevedo attended the prayer vigil Saturday afternoon for the victims of the two mass shootings in both Texas and Ohio.
City officials and congresswoman Jackson Lee called for more gun control and for Texas to have laws mandating universal background checks. The congresswoman spoke out on the increasing number of hate crimes, that have gone up nationally by 30% in the last four years. Hate for the immigrant community is believed to be the motive of the El Paso shooter.
The congresswoman wants to bring back the 1994 assault rifle weapon ban which is a bill she is fighting to pass.
“When the assault weapon was passed in 1994 for 10 years it worked,” said Jackson Lee.
Mayor Sylvester Turner and the chief of police Art Acevedo echoed the congresswoman’s message.
“America reached that tipping point where action will take place. I would like to think that we have reached that tipping point,” said Mayor Turner.
“There is a lot that can be done if people show the political will,’’ said Acevedo.
over at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, where March For Our Lives held a candlelight vigil for the victims. March For Our Lives is a group advocating for more gun control laws.
City Hall, the Partnership Tower and the Montrose bridge will be illuminated in orange which is the color representing the fight against gun violence.