A Toronto church, with an international reputation for promoting human rights, hosted a vigil for the victims of alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur on Sunday night.
Attendees lit five candles for Andrew Kinsman, Selim Esen, Dean Lisowick, Majeed Kayhan and Soroush Mahmudi, the known alleged victims of 66-year-old McArthur.
A sixth candle was lit for those still unidentified, as police say more charges are likely.
The packed ceremony in Toronto's east end was also joined by Mayor John Tory, city councillors and members of the Toronto police.
'Unanswered questions'
Jeff Rock, senior pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), says the church cancelled its regular Sunday evening service to host the candlelight vigil so that people could come together to grieve.
Rock underlined the need to focus on inclusion in the wake of the tragedies.
"We wanted to create a place where people could come together, grieve together, let out what's in their hearts and build some solidarity as well," Rock told CBC News.
Toronto landscaper Bruce McArthur is accused of killing Selim Essen, 44, Sorush Mahmudi, 50, Dean Lisowick, Andrew Kinsman, 49, and Majeed Kayhan, 58. (Toronto Police Service/AP)
"[There are] a lot of unsettled feelings in people's hearts and still a lot of unanswered questions, and we open up our doors and invite not only the LGBTQ community but the wider community, recognizing that the entire city of Toronto and the country . . . are realizing the horrors as the news comes out day by day."
Rock said the unfolding news has produced feelings of shock, fear, grief and horror that have been felt across the GTA.
He said the vigil at MCC, located in the city's Riverdale neighbourhood, will be a time for contemplation, community prayer and support.
"Rather than stepping further into ourselves, were really want to build solidarity and continue to push for inclusion in our society because I think this perpetrator really intentionally picked on the marginalized in our community, people from the LGBT community, and so I think it's now more important than ever for us to build solidarity." Rock said.
McArthur is believed to have targeted men in Toronto's Gay Village and now faces five counts of first-degree murder.
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