Memorial: Tears and hope at mall

They came alone, with family, carrying envelopes or bouquets of flowers. Some went to Trolley Square mall in remembrance. Some to St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

Some were strangers to the victims, others closely related, knowing all too well the pain suffered a year ago when a gunman killed five people and wounded four others before being shot dead by police.

For David Walker, his visit to the memorial at Trolley Square was a way to convey a couple of messages: one of gratitude to a community that continues to care and one for his sister-in-law, Vickie Walker, widowed in the shooting.

"I stopped by to show support for my brother (Jeffrey Walker)," David Walker said. "I wanted to show up and tell my sister-in-law what was here. It's nice to see a community still remembers and shows support."

Walker's older brother Jeffrey and Jeffrey's son, AJ Walker, were the first people shot by Sulejman Talovic on Feb. 12, 2007.

He said the last word AJ heard from his father was "run."

But the past year has been one of quiet steps for the Walker family, which he says has drawn closer than ever before because of the shooting.

AJ continues to heal, his siblings continue to offer support and his mother continues to have hope, even in the hurt.

The aunt of shooting victim Brad Frantz marked the anniversary by attending a service at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

"It's hard for people to move on just because of the brutality of what happened," Dorene Frantz said. "It's hard for people to grasp."

In prayer and communion, a small group of people came to reflect on the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. There were police officers, firefighters and friends and relatives of those who died.

"We come together to remember, before God, our brothers and sisters who died and who were injured in the Trolley Square shooting one year ago today," said the Rev. Robin James. "To give thanks for their lives and to comfort one another in our grief."

As she read their names, a candle was lit for each of the dead and the wounded: Teresa Ellis, Brad Frantz, Kirsten Hinckley, Vanessa Quinn, Jeff Walker, Stacy Hanson, Shawn Munns, Carolyn Tuft, AJ Walker — and gunman Sulejman Talovic.

"We recognize all as children of God," James said afterward. "Remember him as a child of God as well."