Winnipeggers hold vigil after deadly shooting at Orlando gay nightclub

People in Winnipeg gathered Sunday night to honour the victims of an early-morning mass shooting at an Orlando, Fla., gay nightclub.

Tara Sheppard organized the candlelight vigil, which took place at 8 p.m. at the Rainbow Resource Centre where she is also a counselling supervisor.

"When I first read the news this morning online, I cried. For many of us who are part of the community or allies to the community worldwide ... there will be lots of grieving and crying and anger," Sheppard said.

Early Sunday morning, a man armed with an assault rifle opened fire inside a gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 50 people and wounding 53 others.

Congressman Alan Grayson said that there is "no coincidence the attack took place where it did and when it did."

• 50 dead in worst U.S. mass shooting at Florida gay nightclub

"Because it's a gay club and it might be that we've seen the commission of an awful hate crime last night," he said.

The Winnipeg vigil was meant to provide members of the LGBT community and their allies with a safe place to grieve Sunday night, Sheppard said.

"I cried, and as a therapist and someone who can provide some leadership to the counsellors at Rainbow, I thought, 'How can I bring the community together and provide a space for healing and peer support?'" Sheppard said.

"We're also kind of pulling together because many of us feel like there's been a real backlash against the community worldwide."

Winnipeggers have reached out online with their grief and to show solidarity with the LGBT community in Orlando in the wake of the shooting.

Others pointed to how the attack happened while the world was celebrating Pride month.

'May hope triumph over fear'

Premier Brian Pallister issued a statement on the shooting Sunday afternoon.

"We join with people around the world to condemn the hatred behind this senseless act and to stand with the families and loved ones of those killed and injured," Pallister said.

"We will move forward with even greater resolve as we continue the fight for equality and safety for all. May hope triumph over fear and unity prevail over division."

The vigil will take place at the Rainbow Resource Centre located at 170 Scott St. at 8 p.m.

Sheppard said a lot of LGBT people feel scared and confused right now, and she hopes coming together will help people cope with the tragedy in the U.S.

"A lot of people wanting to figure out, 'How do we be in the world without such backlash? How do we be treated like every other person in the world,' so that when you go dancing you don't have to worry about being taken hostage, [so] you can go home safely and be with your family or your partner."

Pride Winnipeg has also planned a vigil for Monday evening at 8:30 p.m. on the steps of the legislature.