“Even seeing people bring their children, that new life, that young life, just shows how strong and resilient our city is,” she said.
True-Smith recalled seeing an incredible response Thursday morning when lone gunman Omar Enrique Santa-Perez began shooting people in the lobby of the Fifth Third Center.
“It was amazing to see the presence and how quickly they got here and got it under control,” she said. “How quiet the square was after was something you never see downtown. It’s always busy. It was sad and it was scary.”
One of those who addressed the gathering, Pastor Ennis Tate, of First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, said, “we ask God to regenerate the souls of everyone who works in the downtown area.”
Michael Johnson, United Way of Greater Cincinnati president and CEO, told the gathering, “our support continues to go to this community that we love. We are Cincinnati strong ... and we will continue to take care of each other through this crisis.”
Johnson said he was glad people could take the moment for the city and everyone who was injured or killed, at one point asking everyone attending the vigil to hold hands and hug.
Monday, a blood drive is scheduled to take place on the square, he said.
EARLIER REPORT
A vigil will be held Friday afternoon at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square for the victims of the shooting that occurred at the Fifth Third Center Thursday morning.
Community members will gather to mourn and honor the five victims who were tragically shot after 29-year-old
Omar Enrique Santa-Perez entered the lobby of the Fifth Third Bank Center and opened fire.
Three people were killed and two others were injured, with one of the survivors in stable condition after being shot 12 times.
The shooter, Santa-Perez, was shot and killed by police as he exchanged gunfire with them.
Cincinnati police have not been able to determine an apparent cause or motive for the shooting, said Chief Eliot Isaac.
The vigil, organized by United Way of Greater Cincinnati in cooperation with Fifth Third Bank, Downtown Cincinnati Inc. and the office of Mayor John Cranley, is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
Final program for 4pm today. See everyone on Fountain Square. Rain or shine. #CincyStrong pic.twitter.com/p02wIV7jCD
— P.G. Sittenfeld (@PGSittenfeld) September 7, 2018
City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld also took to Twitter and encouraged the city to come together at Fountain Square to “affirm who we are as a city”.
Spoke to leadership at 5/3rd. They requested we all come together at 4pm - instead of noon - for a ceremony to mourn and honor the victims, and to support one another. Let's all come together as fellow citizens at 4PM tomorrow, and affirm who are as a city. https://t.co/sKjV08mqDw
— P.G. Sittenfeld (@PGSittenfeld) September 6, 2018
All businesses in Fountain Square are expected to open as normal Friday, according to Tricia Suit, Vice President of Marketing for Downtown Cincinnati Inc.
Fifth Third Bank employees will not return to work Friday.
The Cincinnati Police Department have scheduled a press conference this afternoon to reveal new evidence, as well as body camera footage of the incident.
RELATED: Fountain Square businesses to reopen after shooting in heart of Cincinnati
In wake of the stunning tragedy, the Hoxworth Blood Center is encouraging people to donate blood, state and local leaders offered their condolences to the victims and their families, and the hashtags #CincinnatiStrong and #CincyStrong emerged on Twitter.
PHOTOS: From scene of bank shooting
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