ALLEN, Texas — Monday marked one year since the Allen, Texas community was shattered when a gunman took the lives of eight people as they were shopping at the Allen Premium Outlets.
An 11-foot-tall memorial in honor of the mass shooting victims is now on display.
On Monday, a small black plaque that says "Always Remembered, May 6th, 2023" could be seen in the flower bed at the base of the memorial. Mall officials say a permanent bronze plaque will eventually be installed where the temporary one is.
The memorial includes eight wind chimes in honor of the eight people who died in the shooting: The Cho family: Kyu, Cindy and their 3-year-old son James; sisters, 11-year-old Daniela Mendoza and 8-year-old Sofia Mendoza; Christian LaCour, 20; Aishwarya Thatikonda, 27; and Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32.
Monday night a few hundred people came together at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center for an event honoring the eight victims/
The event only lasted 30 minutes, and most of the people in attendance never knew the victims. But they showed up to honor and grieve them.
“I’m proud to live in Allen,” Mayor Baine Brooks said in his opening remarks. “I’m proud to live in a community where we can come together.”
Reverend Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch also addressed the crowd at the event.
“We will not be overcome…we will not be broken," she said. "Evil will not have the final word."
The Allen High School men’s choir performed amazing grace. Following their performance, the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra performed “In Lumine,” an original work composed to honor the eight victims.
“My hope is that each of you were reminded this evening that you are not alone.” Mayor Brooks concluded.
“And as you leave this room…you’re still not alone.”