ALLEN (WBAP/KLIF News ) – One year to the day that a lone gunman killed eight people at the Allen Premium Outlets, a memorial in honor of their lives is on display.
The structure, which was unveiled Monday morning, sits at the northwest interior section of the mall and includes eight wind chimes to honor the victims: 27-year-old Aishwarya Thatikonda, The Cho Family: Kyu, Cindy and their 3-year-old son James, 11-year-old Daniela Mendoza and her sister 8-year-old Sofia Mendoza, 20-year-old Christian LaCour and 32-year-old Elio Cumana-Rivas.
An Allen police officer who was already at the mall fatally shot the lone gunman.
Leading up the May 6 anniversary, North Texans have been coming together to make sure the victims and the tragedy aren’t forgotten.
Dozens of citizens gathered at Green Park in Allen Sunday to remember the victims and to help citizens who are struggling with the shooting heal.
The group placed 408 red flags in the ground to represent someone who lost their lives to gun violence so far this year in Texas. The somber event was organized by Moms Demand Action and South Asian Voter Empowerment Texas.
As memorials are planned throughout the day Monday, some parents may be grappling with how to discuss the tragedy with their children.
It’s a tough subject Collin County’s mental health authority LifePath Systems has been giving advice on in the wake of the massacre.
LifePath CEO Tammy Mayhan said the conversation should be tailored to the child’s age.
“It should dictate how detailed you get…but ask them questions ‘What are they hearing?’ ‘What are they seeing?’ ‘What are their friends saying?’ ‘How does that make them feel?’,” she said.
The City of Allen will hold a moment of silence at 3:36 p.m., when the first shots rang out.
A remembrance event will be held at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center at 6:30 p.m.
In a Facebook post, city officials said the community program will include performances from the Allen High School choir and the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra & Symphony Chorus.
Click here for directions and free parking.
Click here for a live stream of the remembrance ceremony.
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