ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Remembering victims: A child holds a candle during a public vigil on Wednesday to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. (John Amis/AFP via Getty Images)
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A large crowd of mourners gathered in front of the Metropolitan Nashville Courthouse on Wednesday for a citywide vigil, two days after a gunman killed three students and three adults at The Covenant School.
The crowd spilled beyond the courthouse steps and filled the grass plaza in downtown Nashville, The Tennessean reported. Mourners stood with small white candles as city officials and first lady Jill Biden attended the vigil.
Biden visited The Covenant School earlier in the day, according to the newspaper.
Mayor John Cooper was the first speaker at the vigil, calling Monday “our city’s worst day.”
“I so wish we did not need to be here, but we need to be here -- together as a community,” Cooper told the crowd.
Three 9-year-old children -- Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney -- along with school head Katherine Koonce, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak and custodian Mike Hill, were killed when the shooter, identified as Audrey Hale, opened fire after shooting through glass doors to gain entry.
Hale was killed by Metro Nashville Police Department officers Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo as police were able to take down the shooter within 14 minutes after receiving a 911 call, The Tennessean reported.
Cooper told the parents, family members and friends of the victims that they were not alone.
”A grieving city joins you,” Cooper said. “A grieving country.”
Cooper’s comments were echoed by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake.
“Many of us hoped and prayed these evil acts we saw would never happen in Nashville,” Drake said. “We are grateful to the team of officers who rushed into the school building on Monday.”
State Rep. Rev. Harold Love, the final scheduled speaker, read a prayer to honor the victims, according to The Tennessean.
Music during the vigil was played by nine-time Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow, who sang “I Shall Believe.”
Ketch Secor, of Old Crow Medicine Show, sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” Margo Price sang Bob Dylan’s “Tears of Rage.”
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Vigil: An 8-year-old holds a candle at a public vigil for the victims and survivors of the shooting at The Covenant School on Wednesday. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: A child holds a candle during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: Singer-songwriter Margo Price performs at a candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the lives of the victims, survivors and families of The Covenant School. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Vigil: Singer-songwriter Ketch Secor performs at a candlelight vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Vigil: Devon Stewart weeps at a citywide vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)
Vigil: People listen during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: Roses are held during a vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School. (SETH HERALD/Getty Images)
Vigil: Candles are lit during a citywide vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School. (SETH HERALD/Getty Images)
Vigil: A group gathers around a cross to pray during a public vigil for the victims and survivors of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: First lady Jill Biden and Nashville Fire Department Chief William Swann attend a candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the lives of the victims, survivors and families of The Covenant School on Wednesday. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Vigil: People listen during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: Nashville Chief of Police John Drake and Nashville Fire Department Chief William Swann attend a candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the lives of the victims, survivors and families of The Covenant School. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Vigil: Nashville Mayor John Cooper speaks during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: People take part in a procession following a citywide vigil for the victims killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)
Vigil: Hundreds of people attend a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: Dan Beazley holds the cross he brought from Michigan during a public vigil to honor victims and survivors of a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. (JOHN AMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Vigil: Pictures of the victims killed in a mass shooting on Monday at The Covenant School are fixed to a memorial by Noah Reich, left, and David Maldonado on Wednesday. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)
Vigil: A couple embraces at a makeshift memorial for those killed in a mass shooting at the entrance of The Covenant School. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)
Vigil: A woman prays at a makeshift memorial for those killed in a mass shooting at the entrance of The Covenant School. (SETH HERALD/Getty Images)
Vigil: Flowers, balloons, and other items in memory of victims of a mass shooting are left at a makeshift memorial at the entrance of The Covenant School. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)
