FLORENCE, Ky. — Hundreds of community members came together in Florence for a candlelight vigil to honor the four lives lost in a fatal shooting on Saturday, July 6.

What You Need To Know

  • A candlelight vigil was held on July 9 for the four victims who lost their lives in a mass shooting in Florence

  • Melissa Parrett, 44, Delaney Eary, 19, Shane Miller, 20, and Hayden Rybicki, 20, were shot outside of Parrett’s home during a birthday party for her son

  • This is the first mass shooting the city of Florence has experienced

  • GoFundMe pages have been set up to help the families of the victims

“I think all of our community was going through some shook and definitely heartbroken,” said Erin Caproni, a Florence resident and Crossroads Church staff member.

For some, healing starts with remembering the good. Residents of Florence gathered on July 9 to remember those killed in the shooting. Community members grabbed markers, leaving little notes to their lost loved ones.

Melissa Parrett, 44, Delaney Eary, 19, Shane Miller, 20, and Hayden Rybicki, 20, were shot outside of Parrett’s home during a birthday party for her son.

While they are gone, Crossroads Community Pastor Kacie Bryant says they will not be forgotten. 

“Their memories live on through their friends. I mean, it’s clear that they were loved by so many people. Just looking at the wall we have, we’re we asked people to share memories and how many memories and how many stories that they have that they were just beloved people,” Bryant shared.

This is the first mass shooting the city of Florence has experienced and Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon applauded first responders for their service amid the tragedy.

Metzger Aubuchon said, “You don’t think it’s going to happen in your community, but you are thankful that you prepare. And when this happened, our team, they relied on their training because they prepare for this.”

Even in preparation, no one can measure the time it can take to heal.

"We’re all aware that healing doesn’t happen overnight, right. And this is going to be a long road of processing and recovery really for a lot of people," Caproni said.

As Florence begins to heal, it’s clear that they will continue to hold each other up during the unimaginable.

Friends of the family have made GoFundMe pages to help combat any burdens they may be experiencing. You can learn more by visiting their individual pages: Missy Parrett, Delaney Eary, Shane Miller and Hayden Rybicki.

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