Thousands gather for San Bernardino vigil following mass shooting

SAN BERNARDINO, CA -- The community of San Bernardino stood in solidarity Thursday evening following a deadly mass shooting in the Inland Empire.

Thousands gathered at San Manuel Stadium for a candlelight vigil to remember those lost in the bloodshed at the Inland Regional Center on Wednesday.

As the names of the 14 people killed were read aloud, the glow of candles illuminated the stadium.

MORE: The 14 victims of the San Bernardino mass shooting

Those in attendance gathered to grieve, pray and to know they were not alone in their sorrow.

"It could've been any of us, so I've had a really hard time with it and I just wanted to be around other people who felt the same," Martha Rendon, a San Bernardino County employee said while holding back tears.

The mass shooting shook, but did not unravel the community.

San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis said the tragedy will not keep them from moving forward or growing closer together.

He also praised the first responders for their heroic actions.

"I couldn't be more proud of our police department, fire department, our neighboring law enforcement that assisted in that event," Carey said to a round of applause from the crowd.

MORE: First officer at scene of San Bernardino shooting recalls carnage

The vigil also drew residents from neighboring cities.

Many said didn't know the victims killed or injured in the shooting, but said they wanted to show their support.

For others holding candles, the shooting hit extremely close to home.

Tony Ramos' father was at the IRC and survived the gunfire.

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"I'm so glad that's he's still here because you know people sitting next to him they weren't as lucky. They didn't get to come home like he did," Ramos said.

County, city and clergy leaders told the crowd to pray for the victims' loved ones and to stand united as a community in what will be a long healing process.