Community memebers sign 'I love you' as Kevin Bohlin, a member of the deaf community, delivers remarks in American Sign Language in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine.

Community memebers sign 'I love you' as Kevin Bohlin, a member of the deaf community, delivers remarks in American Sign Language in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. / New England News Collaborative

Nearly every seat in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine, was full Sunday night when over 1,500 people gathered to mourn the victims of last week's mass shooting.

Community leaders spoke throughout the evening, offering moments of silence, interfaith prayer and music. The deadly attack Wednesday night at a bowling alley and a bar left 18 people dead and 13 injured, several of whom remain in critical condition.

At one point, one of the speakers, Kevin Bohlin, a member of the deaf community, delivered remarks in American Sign Language. Four of the shooting victims were deaf. He asked everyone in attendance to raise their hands and sign "I love you." People raised their hands and signed "I love you" back to him.

As the vigil ended, people hugged and many made their way to the front of the basilica where photos of the 18 victims were surrounded by flowers. They paid their respects before joining the rest of their community to try to begin to heal.

Photos of some of the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting are seen during the vigil.

Photos of some of the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting are seen during the vigil. / New England News Collaborative

Attendees embrace as others sing along with a closing rendition of <em>Amazing Grace.</em>

Attendees embrace as others sing along with a closing rendition of Amazing Grace. / New England News Collaborative

Kevin Bohlin, a member of the deaf community, delivers remarks in American Sign Language.

Kevin Bohlin, a member of the deaf community, delivers remarks in American Sign Language. / New England News Collaborative

Attendees listen to speakers in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine.

Attendees listen to speakers in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. / New England News Collaborative

Before the OneLewiston Community Vigil, Gabriella Dunham, 10, left, pets Oliver, an English cream golden retriever therapy dog outside of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine.

Before the OneLewiston Community Vigil, Gabriella Dunham, 10, left, pets Oliver, an English cream golden retriever therapy dog outside of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. / New England News Collaborative

At the OneLewiston Community Vigil, an attendee closes their eyes as the Bates College Crossbones perform <em>Run to You</em> by the Pentatonics in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine.

At the OneLewiston Community Vigil, an attendee closes their eyes as the Bates College Crossbones perform Run to You by the Pentatonics in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. / New England News Collaborative

NESN sportscaster and anchor Tom Caron, a Lewiston native, speaks at the vigil.

NESN sportscaster and anchor Tom Caron, a Lewiston native, speaks at the vigil. / New England News Collaborative

Rev. Allen Austin of Pathway Vineyard Church, right, speaks at the OneLewiston Community Vigil in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. Regan Thibodeau, second from right, interprets Little's remarks into American Sign Language.

Rev. Allen Austin of Pathway Vineyard Church, right, speaks at the OneLewiston Community Vigil in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. Regan Thibodeau, second from right, interprets Little's remarks into American Sign Language. / New England News Collaborative

Raquel C. Zaldívar is a bilingual visual journalist at the New England News Collaborative, where she produces visual stories and collaborates with journalists throughout the New England region.

Follow her on Instagram @raqzal

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Tags: Lewiston  lewiston shooting  mass shooting  american sign language  Maine