Community Expresses Anger, Devastation At Vigil For Wilkinsburg Shooting Victims
WILKINSBURG (KDKA) -- The rain was very fitting for Thursday's prayer vigil in Wilkinsburg.
Dozens of people gathered together in front of the home where a mass shooting took place the night before.
"We need to start with prayer. Our hearts are broken. We're just devastated by what's happened to our community. It's not just about these families, it's about all of us," Senior Pastor at the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg Janet-Hellner Burns said.
Prayer is what they did. They prayed for the five people and unborn child that passed away Wednesday night. They also prayed for their family and friends that they find healing.
"We want people in this community to know there's someone here with you. You don't have to be left alone," Associate Pastor of the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh Thomas Mitchell said.
With prayer brought anger.
"This is against every form of decency here – plotted, premeditated, calculated," Minister of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in the Hill District Earl Baldwin said. "For folks, we can't cook out now? We need a town meeting. I got a plan; folks have got to get involved."
"Last night we had a council meeting and left feeling we accomplished so much, then within an hour and a half…" Wilkinsburg Borough Council President Patrick Shattuck said.
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"There's a lot of guns, a lot of violence, a lot of young people not sure what direction they're headed in; and as one of the seniors in the community, I'm searching for some answers as to how I can help them," Wilkinsburg resident Kathleen Rawlins said.
Steps are already being taken to address the violence.
A town hall meeting will be taking place on Saturday at 1 p.m. at South Avenue United Methodist Church in Wilkinsburg.
