Phoenix vigil honors Tucson hate crime victims

Tonight in Phoenix's Melrose District there will be a vigil to remember two people shot and killed outside a Tucson gay bar in what police say was a hate crime. Fox 10's Nicole Christine joins us live with their message, the business's message of solidarity tonight. Good evening, Christina and john. So this bit is strict. Melrose District along 7th Ave will be lined with luminaries tonight. It is all as a message of support for Tucson's LGBTQ plus community. Now Tucson police say the weekend shooting outside a gay bar called venture in has been confirmed as a hate crime against that community. Police say the two men who died got into an argument with the shooter who also died from self inflicted gunshot wounds. Police say that shooter had a list of other LGBTQ plus associated businesses in the region on him when he committed this crime. In response to this reported hate crime bars throughout the Melrose District here in phoenix, which is roughly one mile of a stretch of 7th Avenue, plan to line the sidewalks with approximately 600 luminaries tonight and gather together as a sign of solidarity with the community to our south. Organizers say they have a lot of pride in the strength of the LGBTQ plus community here in phoenix and that extends into all communities regardless of distance. Michael Phillips and Audrey Corley who manage bars here say it's important to have a safe space for all people to be themselves. Definitely for us, it's more about just supporting. That's all we can do. We have to be able to let our customers feel as though they trust us that they're safe here, that they have a place to be without worrying about anything and just coming and having fun. I believe my whole community is out of light always because we're a community of love. So yes, definitely light in these dark times and I believe as long as we stay together and there'll be brighter days ahead set to start around 6 30 tonight. But the community is welcome to gather here at 5 30 here at Boycott Bar along Melrose and join together, set up those luminaries before the vigil takes place and there will be some increased police presence according to these bar managers due to the entire situation that is going on with this case live in the Melrose district. Nicole Christine Fox 10 news.