Allen, Texas – Residents of Allen came together at Green Park to honor the memory of the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets a year ago. Pastor Danielle Buwon Kim of Ka:ll Community Dinner Church led a moment of silence and prayer as she read out the names of the victims: Cindy Cho, James Cho, Kyu Cho, Elio Cumana-Rivas, Christian LaCour, Daniela Mendoza, Sofia Mendoza, and Aishwarya Thatikonda.

Around 70 people attended the healing and remembrance event organized by South Asian American Voter Empowerment Texas and Moms Demand Action. As Pastor Kim expressed, the gathering aimed to promote unity and peace in the face of violence.

Chanda Parbhoo, founder of the voter empowerment organization, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the shooting as a hate-motivated attack, despite authorities refraining from categorizing it as a hate crime. Parbhoo stressed the need for accurate documentation to ensure appropriate resources for the impacted community.

During the event, individuals shared personal experiences related to gun violence, advocating for stricter gun safety laws. Isabella Spartz, leader of UT Dallas Students Demand Action, emphasized the significance of taking meaningful action to honor the memories of those lost to gun violence.

State Rep. Mihaela Plesa condemned the prevalence of gun violence and called for stricter regulations on assault-style weapons. Attendees planted red flags in the ground to symbolize lives lost to gun violence, a poignant tribute to the victims.

A permanent memorial dedicated to the Allen outlet mall shooting victims is set to be unveiled on the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, providing a lasting tribute to those impacted by the senseless violence.

As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the shooting, events like these serve as reminders of the need for solidarity, advocacy, and remembrance in the face of tragedy.