During a time of uncertainty and sorrow, thousands of mourners came together to honour the lives affected by the tragic mass shooting that took place in Toronto’s vibrant Greektown Sunday evening.
On Wednesday evening, a stretch of Toronto’s Danforth Avenue to Alexander the Great Parkette was filled with Torontonians who gathered for a candlelit vigil for 10-year-old Julianna Kozis of Markham, and 18-year-old Reese Fallon of Toronto, who were killed in Sunday’s shooting.
Thirteen others were injured, after 29-year-old Faisal Hussain of Toronto began firing shots at groups of people around 10 pm on Danforth Avenue. Hussain was killed during the incident.
A sea of support & touching scenes at the vigil for the Danforth shooting victims #DanforthStrong #TorontoStrong pic.twitter.com/gy6U1DGcof
— Janaki Kulkarni (@janaki_kulkarni) July 26, 2018
MASSIVE vigil on the #Danforth this evening. Incredible outpouring of love and solidarity from our community. Together, we are #DanforthStrong. #DanforthAttack #Riverdale #yyz #Toronto 👨🏼🧒🏿👧🏼🧔🏻👴🏽👩🏻👶🏾👵🏿 pic.twitter.com/8wzh1scm2h
— Ravi Joshi (@ravijoshiTO) July 25, 2018
At the parkette, a moment of silence was held to honour those affected, which was followed by a tearful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Emotional scene on the Danforth tonight as hundreds sing Hallelujah during procession and vigil for shooting victims. I love this community❤️ #Toronto #DanforthAttack #DanforthStrong @TorontoBTB @TPSOperations @TPAnews @Toronto_Fire @TorontoComms @TorontoEMS_live @CityNews pic.twitter.com/7BslsZ7izC
— Lisa Couperthwaite (@DrCouperthwaite) July 26, 2018
Mourners could be seen carrying signs that read #DanforthStrong and other messages of resilience, showing the world that this vicious attack on The Danforth won’t define who we are as a city.
Vigil tonight at Alexander the Great Square, Logan and Danforth#Danforth #Riverdale pic.twitter.com/iVflp3dfFv
— Indu Singh (@InduSin51596466) July 25, 2018
A solemn community walked together in a vigil on the #Danforth this evening. People of all ages, all races, all religions, all came together in solidarity. #DanforthStrong #Riverdale #Toronto #TorDan pic.twitter.com/pYnXXxU9dG
— Toronto-Danforth NDP (@TDNDP) July 26, 2018
Tonight we honored the lives of those affected, celebrated the love & strength of our community.
Thank you to all who attended tonight’s vigil. It was a beautiful procession with so many beautiful and thoughtful words shared. The performance was touch… https://t.co/bKkwnUBVUC pic.twitter.com/A0BmaqoXqM— The Danforth BIA (@theDanforthBIA) July 26, 2018
Among those in attendance at Wednesday evening’s event were Toronto Mayor John Tory, Premier Doug Ford, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Cabinet Ministers and MPPs.
An inspiring display of love and support tonight as hundreds of residents walked the Danforth to mourn the innocent lives lost, pray for the injured continuing to recover, thank our first responders, support the community, and show we are a resilient city. #DanforthStrong pic.twitter.com/KZU7zuFeTX
— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) July 26, 2018
Joining the vigil on the #danforth.🙏#DanforthStrong pic.twitter.com/6pKxNDwFNW
— Michael Levitt, MP 🇨🇦 (@LevittMichael) July 25, 2018
Our community has lost an angel. Offering our condolences on the Danforth as we mourn the loss of 10 year old Julianna Kozis of Markham, and paying tribute to the victims, families and everyone touched by this tragedy. At the #DanforthStrong vigil. pic.twitter.com/yGnEzGYEa7
— Mayor Frank Scarpitti (@frankscarpitti) July 25, 2018