What was a site of tragedy and violence Wednesday night turned into a place of prayer and praise for local pastors and community members Thursday evening.

The prayer event Thursday night was spearheaded by a local church to lift up the city and ask for help and healing because of the recent string of violence.

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The event was held in the parking lot of the AutoZone at 4011 Jackson Ave., the site of one of the multiple shootings allegedly carried out Wednesday night by Ezekiel Kelly, a 19-year-old from Memphis.

A video that made its way around social media appeared to show Kelly walking into the store and firing two shots at a customer without warning, then walking out.

The event, which drew a large crowd of community members, was hosted by Casa Church, a relatively new church in Memphis, and included free tacos, chips and drinks for those that attended.

Those that gathered prayed, shouted, lifted their hands and even took to their knees in the worn lot of the Jackson Avenue strip mall to ask for help from God with the violence in the city.

Although the event was hosted by Casa Church, pastors from several other local churches also came out to pray alongside leaders from Casa Church.

“We’re trying to bring back God in the streets and let people know he exists and maybe that will help bring down the violence in Memphis,” said Arturo Colunga, a member of Casa Church.

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Thursday’s event was originally not scheduled to be a vigil in light of the recent tragedies in the city. It’s actually something that Casa Church started doing last week as a way to support the community and feed the homeless.

Members of the church happened to be setting up for the event Wednesday night when shots were fired inside the store. Casa Church pastor Roberto Rodriguez was one of the bystanders that helped the man who was shot.

To be there when the tragedy struck and then to witness the area turn into a place of prayer after the fact felt “spectacular,” Rodriguez said.

“Memphis is tired and we are tired and that’s why we’re here trying to make a difference,” he said.

Memphis City Council member Rhonda Logan also spoke at the event to encourage the crowd in the prayers they were offering on behalf of the city.

She said that outside of what she and others do as city government officials, that prayer is the key to healing from tragedies like what happened Wednesday night.

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“I know the real work needs to be done in the spirit realm,” she said.

After she spoke, the large crowd that was attending the event drew close together to pray for her personally.

Despite Wednesday’s violence and the contempt that many likely hold for the shooter, one pastor that was in attendance made clear that he believes he should be punished but urged the community to forgive him.

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He said that forgiveness not only releases one’s self from hurt and pain but also is the first step in getting someone like the shooter the help that he may need.

“You have to come to it with some sort of desire and want to see them get better. You have to forgive them. You have to walk in love,” said Jerry Anderson, pastor of Love Church.