UT Austin students gathered for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday to honor three victims killed in the downtown mass shooting and those recovering.
AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds of students gathered at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday night to honor the victims of the deadly West Sixth Street mass shooting that left three people dead and others injured.
The vigil took place on the south side of the UT Tower, where students held candles and stood together in remembrance of the lives lost.
Authorities say 19-year-old Ryder Harrington and 21-year-old Savitha Shan were shot and killed outside Buford’s Bar early Sunday morning. Thirty-year-old Jorge Munoz-Pederson was taken off life support in a hospital the following day.
One of the victims, Shan, was a student at UT. Family members said she had recently lined up a new job.
Students at Wednesday night’s vigil said even those who didn’t personally know the victims felt a deep connection.
“It makes me feel sad. I may not have known them personally, but we share the connection of going to the same school, loving the same school, and I just hope their family has peace,” said UT student Ethan DeLuna.
Throughout the vigil, the UT Tower rang in remembrance of those killed and those still recovering from their injuries.
Students said the gathering provided a sense of unity during a difficult time.
“It’s nice to see everyone out here supporting her and her family and the other victims,” said UT student Kajal Patel. “Even if you didn’t know her, it’s just that sense of community.”
Patel said the tragedy has brought students closer together as they process the loss.
“We’re all connected in some way, shape or form, and I feel like this just puts us together instead of making us feel isolated during this time,” Patel said.
The candlelight vigil was organized by UT’s student government as a moment of remembrance, solidarity and reflection for the campus community.
“I think it’s really great on their part,” DeLuna said. “They’re supposed to represent us, and I think this represents us really well – that we want to come together, pay our respects and hope this never happens again.”
For many students, the shooting has also created unwanted emotions.
“That sense of anxiety and fear, it was really hard at first waking up and realizing that your entire life could change,” said UT student Melina Juarez.
Family members of Shan attended the vigil but asked for privacy during the event. As the gathering came to a close, several relatives gestured their appreciation to the crowd of students before leaving campus.
This vigil marks the second candlelight gathering held by UT students following the deadly shooting on West Sixth Street.