After a mass shooting inside a Chesapeake Walmart that killed six people, Chesapeake Mayor Rick West is discussing his plans to move the city forward.
Monday evening, West and the city are hosted a candlelight vigil to bring the community together and mourn alongside one another.
"In 1963, the community came together and created Chesapeake, and since that time I cannot believe there has ever been a time where there was more darkness," said West. "This candlelight brings light to that darkness. This has been our darkest hour."
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares were also expected to attend Monday's vigil. West says many politicians reached out to his office.
"Representatives from the White House have all called and offered their support and their condolences. And I think we hope to convey that to the victims' families," West said.
West says the city is currently printing "Chesapeake Strong" stickers and offering mental healthcare through their Department of Human Services.
The mayor also says his team plans to apply for an emergency declaration. This will allow the city to receive money from state and federal governments that they can use to support the families of the victims. The funds will also pay the city back for the additional resources they've been utilizing.
"A lot of resources go into an emergency like this," said West. "Just think about that night, all night long a lot of police officers were there and there's a cost to that. And thankfully the state and federal governments have avenues that allow us to reimburse for those costs."
Mayor West says he has also received advice directly from the White House regarding how to respond in these types of situations. That advice led the city to create a streamlined method of donating that avoids crowdfunding sites.”
West is hopeful that the vigil will serve as a critical first step in the healing process for the Chesapeake community.
"This was an act of the great darkness to our city," West said. "And with people coming from state local leaders, average guy on the road, whether they are a citizen of Chesapeake or not, if they'll come out tonight, and bring that light, we can get rid of that darkness."
