SEBRING, Fla. — A Sebring church opened its doors Thursday night to community members looking to mourn together one day after the mass shooting at SunTrust Bank.
About 30 people showed up at Emmanuel United Church of Christ to help each other sift through the heartache.
What we know about the Sebring bank shooting victims
Who is Zephen Xaver, the Sebring bank shooting suspect?
Witnesses recount horrifying scene at deadly bank shooting
"For people to recognize that this happens and it can happen anywhere and it's not easy to go through," said Chris Williams, of Sebring.
Judy Goff is a SunTrust customer who couldn't help but think it could have been her in the bank that day.
She came to the memorial gathering to pray for Marisol Lopez, a bank employee who was a big reason why she remained a loyal customer.
"She always impressed me because she was a cheerful and happy person," said Goff. "Always smiling and interacting with the customers."
Rev. George Miller told the crowd that this is just the first step in a long, painful healing process.
"How can we respond to the community, give them a safe space to gather, give them a place in which there's not going to be judgment," said Rev. Miller. "A place in which they can mourn, they can hug, they can also hear words of hope."
