Community gathers in Sebring to mourn 5 women killed

Published:
mass shooting
A red SUV is seen parked outside the damaged SunTrust bank early Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Sebring, Fla. Authorities say five customers were shot and killed at the bank on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

We are getting a first look inside the bank branch where the mass shooting happened in Highland County on Wednesday.

People gather in Sebring for a vigil Thursday mourning the five women murdered at the SunTrust branch in Sebring.

Neighbors are mourning together, as faith leaders and community members shared messages of hope amid a time of tragedy.

Reverend George Miller is the pastor Emmanuel United Church of Christ behind the vigil. He opened the doors of his church for an interfaith service to remember and begin to grieve the loss of life.

“This is going to affect each and every person in this city,” Miller said. “Sebring is the type of place that you come, and you build community. You learn how to make friends.”

Five candles are burning inside Rev. Miller’s church, as neighbors struggle to come to terms with the loss of five people.

“We’ve been having these killings in small towns, in move theaters, in churches, in schools,” McMillon said. “And yesterday it happened in my small town. And I’m saddened because I wasn’t surprised.”

The community gathers again Sunday for a candlelit vigil.

“And its times like these that we just gotta do better,” McMillonsaid. “We just gotta do better.”

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