RALEIGH — Flags were flown at half-staff across the state as a heartbroken community in Raleigh honored five neighbors that were shot and killed in a mass shooting on Thursday night.
Among the lives lost were 49-year-old Susan Karnatz, a mother of three; 34-year-old Mary Marshall, a Navy veteran who was set to be married later this month; 29-year-old Gabriel Torres, an off-duty police officer shot who was on his way to work; 52-year-old Nicole Connors, whose dog, Sammy, was also killed; and 16-year-old James Thompson, the youngest victim and a high school junior.
The devastated community of Hedingham was united with words of hope and comfort while remembering the five victims who lost their lives on Oct. 13. As residents leaned on each other during these trying times, members of the Billy Graham Rapid Response team were there to lend a hand
“We just want to contribute to the community ... the knowledge that God loves them and He hurts with them as they go through this,” said team member Jennifer Metallo.
Members of the Billy Graham team not only supported the community during the vigil, but dedicated a camp in the neighborhood, lending an ear to anyone who needs to talk.
“We have a lot of people from all hours. Some that are joggers this morning that came by. Some of them have been walking their dogs, and some of them are golfers from the Hedingham Golf Club,” Metallo said. “So we’ve just had a variety of people, an ebb and flow.”
As of Oct. 21, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has returned from Raleigh.
(WATCH BELOW: ‘We grieve for them’: 5 killed, including an off-duty officer, in Raleigh shooting, police say)
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