Hundreds attend vigil for Memorial shooting victims

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Hundreds of people attended a vigil at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, just across the street from where Sunday's mass shooting took place.

Two victims from the shooting attended church there.

"He simply was a man with a sense of hope about his week, his future," explained Pastor John Stephens. "And his family and his life was tragically taken."

56 year old Gene Linscomb was getting his car washed when he was murdered Sunday morning. He leaves behind a daughter who graduated from fifth grade today, a wife, and a close-knit church family.

"They were going to have a cook-out for the holiday," Pastor Stephens said. "They were going to spend time together."

Investigators say 25 year old Dionisio Garza shot seven people before a sniper killed him. The church was on lockdown for four hours as a SWAT team posted up in the parking lot.

"I haven't gotten to sleep. I've had a really bad headache all week," said Marcel McClinton, who was in the church during the lockdown. "I think everybody is in the process of forgiveness. Everybody is trying to forgive. It's been one of my most holy weeks. I've never prayed so much in a week."

"We try to be a family, so that's what we kind of strive for, to be available to be there for each other during a time like this," said Lt. Simon Ramirez, with Precinct 5's Constable's Office.