Prayer vigil tonight in Hamilton for families touched by shooting

Local residents have organized a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. today on the Square at Second, Walnut and Chestnut Streets for the families and members of the community affected by the shooting at Doubles bar on Sunday morning that claimed the life of 22-year-old Kalif Goens and wounded seven others.

Mondale Goens, 21, the victim's brother, is being held on a $2 million bond on charges of murder and felonious assault in connection with the shooting, according Hamilton Police Chief Craig Bucheit, who held a press conference Monday afternoon to discuss details of the investigation.

Members of the Goens family and friends attended Monday’s press conference but waited outside as Bucheit spoke to the media. Pastor Shaquila Mathews of the Truth and Life Church in Hamilton met with the family after the incident and after the press conference.

Mathews told the Journal-News that the family does not have any plans for a vigil at this time, but is encouraged that people are coming together to support them and those that are also in need of prayer and well-wishes at this time.

“The family is still processing everything, and they are not making any formal statements at this time,” Mathews said. “This is a very tragic event that has affected many families and people in the community. It is a time for prayer and healing.”

Former city councilman Archie Johnson, who is also the pastor of St. Phillip’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Hamilton, said the incident is a reminder that all the violence going on in the world can hit right home in Hamilton. He said people with knowledge of what happened should cooperate with the police in the investigation.

He added that the violence has to stop and that people should not feel unsafe in their community.

“It is unfortunate that these young folks lives are being taken at the hands of a select few,” Johnson said. “My prayers go out to all of the affected families.”

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