LITTLE ELM (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Dozens of North Texans gathered in Little Elm Thursday night to honor the victims of the mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets Mall earlier this month.
It was organized by the India Association of North Texas and the Little Elm Angels Foundation. Photos and the names of the victims were placed on white chairs.
Eight people, including 26-year-old Aishywara Thatikonda, a McKinney engineer, were tragically killed by a lone gunman on May 6th.
Members of the community spoke and urged people to find some peace amid the pain.
“Everything happens for a reason and sometimes its beyond our comprehension and it’s tough…but we accept and we don’t retaliate,” said one speaker.
Little Elm Mayor Curtis Cornelious urged residents to keep doing what he said North Texans are best at.
“We pull together as a community…pick off of one another’s strengths…and figure out what we need to do the next day,” he said.
Funeral services have been held across the Metroplex for the other victims: The Cho Family: Kyu, Cindy and their 3-year-old son James, sisters Daniela and Sofia Mendoza, mall security guard Christian LaCaour and Elio Cumana-Rivas. Thatikonda’s family said her body has been flown to India for burial.
Property managers at Allen Premium Outlets have said the mall will remain closed until all the funerals have been held.
GoFundMe has set up a collective page for the community to donate to the support all who were affected by the tragedy.
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