Community leaders gathered Friday evening outside Barclays Center to mourn the victims of two recent acts of violence that have shaken the nation: the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and a shooting at a Colorado high school that left one teenager dead and two others injured.

Hand in hand, participants joined a vigil led by the Rev. Kevin McCall, who urged those in attendance to reject political violence and focus on shared humanity.

“Violence is never the answer when it comes to disagreeing,” McCall said. “One hundred percent of the stuff he says I did not agree with, but that doesn’t make him a lost soul.”

Organizers said the event aimed to honor those killed and injured while calling for unity in the face of growing polarization.

Community members at the vigil said their message remains clear: stay peaceful, reject hate and remember the lives lost.