DAYTON, Ohio — It’s been two years since nine lives were taken during the mass shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District, and on Wednesday the community came together for a vigil to honor those lives.

“It was very traumatic for me,” said LaSandra James. “Not just for me, but for my family.”

On Aug. 4, 2019, James' life as she knew it would never be the same. Her daughter, Lois Oglesby, 27, was shot and killed during the mass shooting in the Oregon District. Oglesby left behind two daughters. 

“Why should I have to explain something that’s so traumatic to a seven-year-old or a nine-year-old of how their mother passed,” asked James. 

James and her family were one of dozens of Dayton residents to attend the vigil Wednesday evening.

“This is just an opportunity for us to kind of hug and reminisce and just remember,” she said. 

There were speakers, prayer and a moment of silence for the nine lives lost. She said it was therapeutic to honor her daughter and the others with the community.

“The community coming together then and just the outpouring of love and support that still is strong today,” she said. 

To honor the nine lives lost there were nine wreaths with each victims’ name on display. Looking at her daughter’s name was emotional for James, but she says she won’t let it bring her down. 

“This is my fight to not fall into that hole and to come out,” she said. 

 James said it’s her granddaughters and God who motivate her to keep going every day.

 “With God on my side and just constantly praying and just asking for peace through the storm,” she said. 

She hopes the vigil will not only provide healing and peace for the victims' families but also be one step closer to helping end the fight against gun violence. 

“It’s not something that’s going to be done overnight,” she said. “But just to have a conversation to prevent this from happening.”