Hundreds of people gathered at the Alberta Legislature Sunday night for a candlelight vigil to honour those killed and injured in the mass shooting at a Florida nightclub.
Authorities in Orlando said 50 people were killed and 53 injured when a gunman opened fire inside Pulse Nightclub, a gay club, early Sunday morning.
READ MORE: Orlando shooting: As the shootings unfolded, a horror for a mother via text
To show solidarity with the global LGBTQ community and pay tribute to those impacted by the Orlando shooting, the Edmonton Pride Festival held a vigil at 8 p.m. Sunday. Hundreds of people showed up to hear from local leaders, sing songs, and take part in a candlelit walk.
“I’m really moved and touched, and actually surprised to see so many people here, ” attendee Hilda Lemus said.
“I think it helps, because it shows it we’re not challenged by fear,” added Alexi.
“We’re coming together and we’re making sure we’re staying strong.”
“It happened down there, but we’re one community so it affects us all,” Mackenzie Cross said.
The rampage is being called the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, at the hands of a man who called 911 from the scene to profess loyalty to the leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
READ MORE: Orlando shooting the deadliest in American history, just the latest in long string of attacks
Omar S. Mateen has been identified as the gunman. Mateen, born in 1986 in New York, is a U.S. citizen from Port Saint Lucie, FL. His family was from Afghanistan before they moved to Florida.
FBI officials said Mateen purchased at least two firearms legally within a week or so of the massacre. He was known to police to have ties to the so-called Islamic State, and had been dealt with on two separate occasions.
READ MORE: Orlando shooting: 50 people killed, 53 injured at gay nightclub in Florida
On Sunday afternoon in Edmonton, a moment of silence was held at the Mayor’s Pride Brunch, which capped off a week of Pride celebrations. The city’s High Level Bridge was lit up in a rainbow Sunday night to honour those killed.
On Monday afternoon, all City of Edmonton buildings lowered their flags to half-mast.
With files from The Associated Press
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