Members of the Iowa City community gathered for a Monday evening vigil to lament the shooting that took place near the University of Iowa over the weekend.
People filled the pews of Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Iowa City to hear from community leaders of different religious faiths and to bring attention to the impacts of gun violence. The group then marched to the site where the shooting took place to say a prayer and have a moment of silence.
Reverend Nora Boerner is the priest at Trinity. She says lament, anger, and pain are all legitimate forms of prayer.
"We gather today in common grief for the epidemic of gun violence. Be with all those who suffer from the lasting trauma from gun violence and that it leaves in their wake," she said.
There were five victims of the shooting and three were students. Three of them are still in the hospital, with one in critical condition.
Iowa City police say they are following numerous leads and have positively identified several people of interest who may be responsible for the shooting.
Temple Hiatt leads the local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which offers community for gun violence survivors.
"Don't let anyone make you feel like what you experienced is something you just have to get over. Take all the time you need, and when it’s needed, take more time," Hiatt said.
