Kalamazoo Community Unites for Prayer Vigil Events Following Shootings

The Kalamazoo Community is uniting to pray and grieve for victims involved in the shooting spree which killed six and injured two others, M-Live reports.

One vigil event, Pray for Kalamazoo, will take place Sunday at 7 p.m. at Centerpoint Church, at 2345 N 10^th St. in Kalamazoo.

On Monday, Feb 22., there will be a mass held at 12:10p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral at 542 W. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo.

The Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo released the following statement:

"We are shocked and saddened by the horrific acts of violence in our beloved Kalamazoo last evening. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the six innocent people whose lives in this world were so mercilessly ended. May they live forever with God in the life of the world to come. We also pray for the perpetrator; may God show him mercy and change his heart. We commend the courage and dedication of our first responders for their commitment to keeping our community safe. Finally we pray for an end to all forms of violence. May this Lenten season be a time for all of us to turn away from sin and be freed from the strong hold of evil’s influence so that we can live together in security and peace.

"We invite all people to join together tomorrow at 12:10 p.m. for a Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral to pray for the victims, the injured and traumatized, and for an end to violence. May all those impacted by this senseless tragedy be comforted by the love of our united prayers."

 

Another event, The Kalamazoo Community Vigil is planned for Monday at 6p.m. at First Congregational Church at 345 W. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo.

On Sunday, police released the names of the victims. Four women were killed at Cracker Barrel in Texas Township: Mary Lou Nye, 62, of Baroda, Mich.; Mary Jo Nye, 60, of Battle Creek, Mich.; Dorothy Brown, 74, of Battle Creek, Mich.; and Barbara Hawthorne, 68, of Battle Creek, Mich.

Police have identified the two victims killed at Seelye KIA on Stadium Drive, as Tyler Smith, 18, a senior at Mattawan High School, and his father, Richard, 53.

The first victim, a woman shot multiple times at The Meadows Townhomes, is in serious condition but expected to survive.

A 14-year-old victim wounded at the Cracker Barrel shooting remains in critical condition.

Police have the shooting suspect, 45-year-old Uber driver Jason Brian Dalton, in custody.