A prayer vigil was held Tuesday night for the three victims killed Tuesday morning in what investigators believe to be a domestic-related shooting.
Those killed in the shooting were identified as 30-year-old Valorie Short, her father "Buddy" Short and Erica Green.
The suspect, Murray Lancaster, 40, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a camper-trailer. Valorie Short was the ex-girlfriend of Lancaster and Green was Lancaster's ex-wife. Short had a restraining order against Lancaster.
Lancaster was the nephew of former Clay County Sheriff Scott Lancaster and the son of a former Clay County commissioner.
“Unfortunately this is a tragedy you can’t get through without God Almighty,” Clay County Commissioner Diane Hutchings said.
Praying is exactly what the Clay County community did just hours after finding out Short, her father and Green were shot dead.
“It’s such a tragedy, there’s so many lives that are affected,” child care provider Erin Howard said.
Four Clay County children are now left without their mothers with Mother’s Day on the horizon.
“I just pray that we can pull together for the kids’ sake. Without your mother it’s a long journey," Howard said.
Howard said she cared for the children of both Valorie Short and Erica Green.
“They both have very loving and supporting families, so I’m sure that they will get that support that they need,” Howard said.
Whether they knew the victims personally or were just there to show support, at least a hundred people were at Hickory Grove Baptist Church wiping tears away as individuals stepped up to the podium to pray for not only the victims of Tuesday’s tragedy, but also for the shooter’s family.
“The one in their family who took the actions he took today, he wounded his family as well. And they lose somebody they love,” Hutchings said.
There is no word on any funeral arrangements at this time. As soon as a date is set, we'll be sure to let you know.
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Family & friends of today's triple murder victims already starting to arrive for the vigil at 7pm @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/olESQ95O31
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
Tissues line the chairs in church as people continue to file in for a vigil for those killed today @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/d4Hlk4kQza
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
"This is not Hickory Grove service, this is Green Cove Springs service" - Pastor @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/hET8TiZ25z
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
Vigil starts with everyone singing praise @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/HzRzSu2p1U
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
A lot of tears being wiped away while different people step on stage for prayer @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/2NqRPaNGMS
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
Clay Co. Commissioner Diane Hutchings- "this is a tragedy that you can't get through without God" @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/74iQrK07Xd
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
"Someone might have held that gun, but evil took those lives" - Pastor @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/m1XVB3GcVD
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
People gathering in groups to pray for the victims and their families @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/86A8Wme9YN
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
Another group holding hands to pray for the families of the 3 killed today @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/cy8p7QsriV
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
"Amazing Grace" is the closing song at tonight's vigil & you can feel the sadness throughout the room @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/gBuuI1cR1q
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) May 3, 2016
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