Edwards, Lawmakers Hold Prayer Vigil For Orlando Victims

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards described the victims of a mass shooting at a gay night club in Orlando as "our brothers and sisters" during a vigil with Louisiana's legislative leaders.

The "Moment of Unity" event, held Monday at the State Capitol, featured prayers and speeches expressing grief for the victims and their families.

Those assembled — including the governor, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, dozens of lawmakers and others — sang "Amazing Grace" together.

Forty-nine victims died in the Florida attack. More than 50 were injured.

Edwards read a Bible passage and said: "There is no room for terror and hate."

House Speaker Taylor Barras, of New Iberia, drew a correlation between the Orlando shooting and a Lafayette movie theater shooting in July that left three people dead and nine wounded.

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