AUSTIN, Texas — It has been over a week since the shooting that killed three people and injured more than a dozen. The bar, Buford’s, in downtown Austin has officially reopened, but a makeshift memorial outside continues to grow.
There has been an outpouring of support from people all across the state. Some left flowers and heartfelt notes, but the blue heart-crosses left for the three young victims may look familiar. Similar blue heart-crosses stood tall in other places in Texas that experienced loss. A ministry is behind the effort, bringing hope and support to families all across Texas during devastating tragedies.
Lutheran Church Charities’ (LCC) Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministry (HMC) brings painted wooden hearts and crosses to people in heartbreaking circumstances. Volunteers go all over the country, visiting the places where devastation has hit. The organization brings physical symbols of mercy and compassion to the families whose lives will never be the same. Volunteers with the group have left symbols of hope and support all over Texas over the years.
In 2025, HMC teams placed more than 700 hearts and crosses at memorial sites (or presented them to families and first responders), including in the aftermath of the devastating flooding over the weekend of July 4 in Central Texas.
Organizers have been regular caregivers to the affected families and community in Uvalde, Texas, after the Robb Elementary School shooting in 2022. The blue heart-crosses still stand tall in the community to this day. Volunteers also built blue heart-crosses for the community in Allen, where eight victims died in the outlet mall shooting in 2023.
The most recent tragedy hitting the Lone Star State was the mass shooting in Austin, which ended the lives of three young people: 21-year-old Savitha Shan, 19-year-old Ryder Harrington and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson.
Susan Crum is a volunteer with LCC. She dropped off three heart-crosses at Buford’s the week of the shooting. It’s a place where community members can leave messages for families or for their loved ones who have passed. Crum said this was her first time dropping off crosses, a moment she will never forget.
“To bring three crosses where I live was heartbreaking,” said Crum.
A person writes a message on the blue heart-cross for 21-year-old Savitha Shan, who was one of three people who died in a shooting outside of an Austin bar on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (Spectrum News 1/Barbara Fox)
In the aftermath of all these tragedies, most saw the heart-crosses. It’s a symbol that transports people from all over the state to the most catastrophic times in Texas history.
The heart-crosses are also a stark reminder that Texans don’t go through bad times alone. At these makeshift memorial sites, we have seen neighbors offering support, hugs and a helping hand to those in need.
“When we customize it with the name of the person that now represents that person’s life, so that that life is not forgotten,” said Sarah Sekki, director of HMC ministry.
The heart-crosses outside of Buford’s are now filled with messages, a sign Crum said that love can overcome evil.
“There’s strength [in] people coming together,” said Crum.
It’s clear that Texans stand together, stronger, despite the tragedies that have left many speechless and in tears.
“It’s so heartwarming. Austin is such a loving community. And it doesn’t surprise me at all, you know, to see all of the flowers, the candles, the pictures, the notes, everything that’s been, you know, left here,” said Crum.
LCC said its teams of staff and volunteers are available for encouragement, prayer and ongoing support. The organization partners with local Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations so that they can have a continual presence in the city as it mourns and recovers. For this heartbreaking tragedy, Bethany Lutheran Church of Austin is its primary local partner.