Hours after gunshots tore through a tight-knit community college in Roseburg, Oregon, thousands across the state gathered at vigils commemorating the nine victims killed and seven injured in the mass shooting Thursday.
A candlelight vigil was held in Roseburg's Stewart Park, where "Amazing Grace" and chants of "UCC! UCC!" rang out. The vigil was attended by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who earlier in the day ordered flags across the state lowered to half-mast.
"We don't know why this happened, we only know that we are called to come together as a community to banish fear and affirm love, to care for and comfort one another, to be a strong and supportive community," Brown said. "In our sorrow, we will remember and honor those lost today, and in this way they will live forever in our hearts."
Umpqua Community College interim president Rita Cavin thanked the community for its support, and called for the tragedy to be addressed with sensitivity rather than anger.
"We need love and we need compassion and we need healing," Cavin said. "This is a terrific, terrific community and we can rise above this pain and focus on helping one another."
#prayersforucc #UCCschooting #kgwnews #Roseburg pic.twitter.com/89lOGjUUQF
— Rachael Rafanelli (@RachaelKGW) October 2, 2015
Hundreds gather for a vigil in Roseburg, Ore., after the #UCCschooting @Salem_Statesman pic.twitter.com/Kz1STBHsFd
— Anna Reed (@annaereed) October 2, 2015
Trumpeter plays Amazing Grace at #UCCschooting vigil pic.twitter.com/PZCFtEQoY5
— John Rosman (@jmrosman) October 2, 2015
Sea of candles. Children, families here to grieve, to mourn and to honor victims of the #UCCShooting @fox12oregon pic.twitter.com/Jg8VDn8kdR — Kelsey Watts (@KelseyWattsKPTV) October 2, 2015
Hundreds gather at a park in. Roseburg to remember those who were lost at UCC today pic.twitter.com/I2FjfUaByY — Mike Turner (@mturner92) October 2, 2015
Candlelight vigil #UCCschooting #prayersforucc #kgwnews @KGWNews pic.twitter.com/ntCQ0oJ8HU
— Rachael Rafanelli (@RachaelKGW) October 2, 2015
This is beautiful. Community vigil in Roseburg. #UCCstrong #UCCschooting pic.twitter.com/RQMAK7GRd8
— Laura Rillos (@LauraRillos) October 2, 2015
No more speakers tonight. Chants of "I am UCC" have broken out after this filming. #UCCShooting pic.twitter.com/p3PIfv9L2A
— Troy Brynelson (@TroyWB) October 2, 2015
Vigils were also held at Portland City Hall and the University of Portland's chapel, where mourners gathered for an interfaith service.
"Sometimes life calls us to be together." Interfaith vigil for #UCCschooting has begun. pic.twitter.com/bU6bnT2VlW
— Katherine Cook (@KCookKGW) October 2, 2015
About 50 people gathered for #UCCShooting vigil at portland city hall pic.twitter.com/T9s2NZENnV
— KXL News (@KXLNews) October 2, 2015
#UCCShooting: Crowd starts gathering at a candlelight vigil in Portland for mass shooting victims in Roseburg pic.twitter.com/Yg2sw797Uy
— Lorena de la Cuesta (@LorenadlaCuesta) October 2, 2015
"Pray for the people of Roseburg" says pastor at #Portland city hall vigil following #UCCShooting #KOIN6News pic.twitter.com/gIsxSkT1kF
— Matt Rashleigh (@Matt_KOIN) October 2, 2015
Details of the shooting have been slow to emerge from the rural community about 180 miles south of Portland, with law enforcement confirming only the numbers of dead and injured.
The shooter, identified as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer by multiple news outlets citing unnamed law enforcement sources, was shot and killed by police. In total, 10 have been confirmed dead, including the gunman. The shooter was reported to be a 20-year-old man earlier in the day.
During a press conference immediately preceding the vigil in Stewart Park, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said the shooter would be formally identified by the medical examiner, and refused to refer to him by name.
"Let me be very clear: I will not name the shooter," Hanlin said. "I will not give him credit for this horrific act of cowardice. Media will get the name confirmed in time...but you will never hear us use it."
Per "mass casualty event" protocol, the names of the deceased are not expected to be released for at least 24 to 48 hours.
The shooting was first reported at 10:38 a.m. PT. The campus was initially placed on lockdown before UCC students and faculty were evacuated and bused to Douglas County Fairgrounds to be reunited with family.