Michael Mathes
May 20, 2018
Residents leave flowers at a memorial for victims of a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, TexasResidents leave flowers at a memorial for victims of a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas (AFP Photo/Brendan Smialowski)More
Grief-stricken families in southwestern Texas gathered in churches throughout Santa Fe on Sunday seeking spiritual succor following a massacre at the town's high school, the nation's latest mass shooting.
As federal investigators search for a motive in the deadly attack, hundreds of people attended an emotional funeral service for a Pakistani exchange student, one of 10 people killed in Friday's rampage. Many of the men wore traditional Muslim garb, kneeled and prayed.
The gunman has been identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old student who is alleged to have used his father's shotgun and revolver to kill fellow classmates and two teachers.
At Arcadia First Baptist Church, Texas Governor Greg Abbott hugged survivors of the shooting and their parents and urged them to stay strong.
"We're here to support you," Abbott said.
Some 500 congregants bowed their heads as interim Pastor Jerald Watkins offered prayers.
"It's time like this when all of us realize how fragile our lives really are," he said.
Santa Fe 10th grader Joshua Stevens, 15, said he was glad to see the governor in attendance, adding, "It's important that after a tragic event like this we just come together and worship."
Residents leave flowers at a memorial for victims of a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, TexasResidents leave flowers at a memorial for victims of a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas (AFP Photo/Brendan Smialowski)More
Grief-stricken families in southwestern Texas gathered in churches throughout Santa Fe on Sunday seeking spiritual succor following a massacre at the town's high school, the nation's latest mass shooting.
As federal investigators search for a motive in the deadly attack, hundreds of people attended an emotional funeral service for a Pakistani exchange student, one of 10 people killed in Friday's rampage. Many of the men wore traditional Muslim garb, kneeled and prayed.
The gunman has been identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old student who is alleged to have used his father's shotgun and revolver to kill fellow classmates and two teachers.
At Arcadia First Baptist Church, Texas Governor Greg Abbott hugged survivors of the shooting and their parents and urged them to stay strong.
"We're here to support you," Abbott said.
Some 500 congregants bowed their heads as interim Pastor Jerald Watkins offered prayers.
"It's time like this when all of us realize how fragile our lives really are," he said.
Santa Fe 10th grader Joshua Stevens, 15, said he was glad to see the governor in attendance, adding, "It's important that after a tragic event like this we just come together and worship."
