SAN ANTONIO – Hundreds of people attended a vigil at Crockett Park on Sunday evening to mourn the people who lost their lives in the nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.
Many of those who showed up teared up as a speaker read the names of the victims.
"We are coming together so we can unite and mourn the loss of those individuals in Orlando that lost their lives senselessly to violence," said Robert Saucedo, of Pride Center San Antonio.
"Simply because of who they are and who they love."
Roxy Chung said she thought it was important to bring her daughter to the vigil.
"I just really wanted my daughter to experience this and see what it's like despite differences and lifestyles, opinions and beliefs," Chung said. "We're all people, and it's such a senseless act."
Police Chief William McManus told the crowd that people should feel safe in San Antonio, but he also said that residents need to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
"No one is going to hurt you as long as SAPD is here for you," McManus said.
Other local leaders and lawmakers came out to show their support, including U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary and former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro.
"(We're here) to stand in solidarity with the victims and the families in Orlando and also with the LGBT community in San Antonio," Joaquin Castro said. "This is an incredibly tragic day and we thought it was important to be out here."
"My hope is that everyone will use this moment in their own way, big or small, to teach others love and respect instead of hate," Julian Castro said.