BUFFALO, N.Y. — A prayer and healing vigil was held on the grounds of the historic Michigan Street Baptist Church on Thursday morning.
The vigil began at 10 a.m.
The Reverend William H. Henderson Foundation held a prayer and healing service for families, survivors, community residents, and anyone impacted by the tragic mass shooting, where 10 people were killed and three more wounded. Funerals for victims will continue into this weekend.
Fragrance Stanfield was at the Tops when the gunman opened fire. She survived and now has a message for everyone who witnessed what happened that day.
"Even if you weren't there, you weren't in the community, you weren't at the store," Stanfield said. "But you still witness that this happened to people in our community. And you have been spared. This did not happen in your community, in your house, or in your store, you were spared just like me."
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown took part in the vigil, and he said while many are angry about the mass shooting, hate is not the answer.
Local ministers and community members provided prayers and consoled the grieving on the grounds of the historic landmark, which has provided shelter to the enslaved fleeing terror and has been a long-standing sanctuary for freedom seekers and fighters.