Hours after a horrific scene unfolded in a nightclub in Orlando, Florida – leaving 50 people dead and more than fifty wounded – leaders in Alberta responded to the news, and a vigil in Edmonton's core was planned.

On Sunday morning, a church service was held at the McDougall United Church as part of Pride Festival celebrations – the event was planned before the shooting, and the tragedy a few hours before seemed to set the tone for the start of the service.

“It’s even more necessary,” Gary Simpson with Affirmed Ministry said.

“We want to send a very strong message that there are people in society who love you and care about you in the face of hostility, hatred and anger.”

Another event, the Annual Mayor’s Pride Brunch, was held a short time later.

Advocate Kris Wells said he felt sick when he heard about what happened in Florida.

“This is not about the LGBT community, this is an attack on human rights and democracy everywhere,” Wells said, going on to say it wasn’t just the act of shooting dozens of people, but also where it happened – one of the few places where people in the LGBTQ community feel safe.

“Pride started in a bar called Stonewall in New York City,” Wells said. “The fact that our very movement for pride started in a bar and here we are seeing people killed in that same community space is horrific, but it won’t silence us.”

An announcement by Edmonton Pride Festival Sunday afternoon outlined plans for a vigil in memory of the victims.

A Facebook page set up for the event said the event would be held on the Alberta Legislature Grounds at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Mayor Don Iveson sent out a tweet late Sunday morning – as he spoke publicly at the Pride Brunch – denouncing hatred, and saying officials were looking into lighting up the bridge in solidarity.

 

 

A short time later, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley issued her own statement in response, saying Albertans were “devastated” by the news of the shootings.

“Words cannot express our revulsion and outrage at the hatred that fueled this crime.

“Albertans join with people everywhere in offering our thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, partners and loved ones who are suffering this moment.

“And we resolve to make sense of these senseless events by recommitting ourselves to building communities where love and solidarity triumph over hatred and division.”

A spokesperson for the premier said the flags at the legislature would be lowered until further notice.

Early Sunday afternoon,  the City confirmed through a tweet that the High Level Bridge would be lit with pride colours that night.

 

 

Early Sunday morning, a gunman armed with an assault-type rifle and a handgun started shooting inside a crowded gay nightclub – killing at least 50 people, before he died in a gunfight with police.

At least 53 people were hospitalized, officials said most of them were in critical condition.

The shooter has since been identified as Omar Mateen, a resident of Port St. Lucie, Florida.

With files from The Associated Press and Breanna Karstens-Smith