An outpouring of sympathy and prayer washed over Tennessee for the victims of the 16 July shootings that left four US Marines and the gunman dead.
Three others were injured, and one of them, a sailor, died early on Saturday. Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, whose diocese includes Chattanooga, encouraged all Catholics and people of faith to participate in a community prayer service at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga a few miles from the attacks, later that day.
Fr David Carter, pastor of the basilica, led the prayer service for all the victims of the incident, including the gunman. Three days later Bishop Stika celebrated a Mass at the basilica for all who lost their lives.
The shootings had taken place at a military recruitment centre and a Navy-Marine training centre. The four Marines were: Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, 40; Lance Cpl. Skip Wells, 21; Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, 35; and Sgt. Carson Holmquist, 27.
One of three others who were wounded, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, 26, died early on Saturday. The two surviving wounded are a Marine recruiter who was shot in the leg, and a Chattanooga police officer who was shot in the ankle.
Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, of Hixson, Tennessee, was identified by law enforcement authorities as the gunman. AP reported he was shot to death by police.
At a Chattanooga Baptist church on Saturday, local Muslims and Christians united for an interfaith prayer vigil for the victims.
Above: Interfaith prayer vigil at Olivet Baptist Church for victims of the shootings. Photo: CNS/Reuters
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