Bryant Park vigil offers collective prayer for victims of deadly office shooting in Midtown
BRYANT PARK, Manhattan (WABC) -- A vigil was held Tuesday night to pay tribute to the lives lost after a gunman went on a shooting rampage in an office building in Midtown Manhattan on Monday.
The shooting left four people dead, and a fifth victim injured, a tragedy that prompted the city to come together and respond to the collective pain with collective prayers.
Flanked by funeral flowers, Bryant Park served as an outdoor, ecumenical worship service Tuesday night to pray for the victims, their families and the city.
"I believe in God, and I believe that when we're in crisis, we have to be there for each other," Rhea Hanges said. "We have to pray for one another."
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who has been a pillar of strength for the NYPD, attended the vigil and revealed that she lost not only one of her own officers, but also a personal friend: 43-year-old Wesley LePatner, a successful businesswoman and mother of two children.
"May they rest in God's arms in peace. May they be a blessing," Tisch said.
The service featured a rainbow of faiths, ethnicities and languages. A perfect reflection of the victims and the city.
"Even though something tragic happened, we also saw something so beautiful tonight, which is a collective prayer of people from all over the world," said Pastor Gil Monrose, a faith advisor to the mayor.
The flowers have now been removed. Plans are to keep them cool Tuesday night then deliver them to 345 Park Ave. Wednesday morning as the city prepares to say farewell to the four victims.
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