The Nashville community gathered at Public Square Park for a vigil to remember the six victims of the recent Covenant School shooting. First Lady Jill Biden and notable members of the country music community, such as Sheryl Crow, attended the event.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper addressed the attendees, expressing his grief and the need for unity: "When words just can't carry the weight of what's in our hearts, we must reach out to each other to help each other carry the load. To think of all the hugs that they would've had and all the hugs we can still give each other." Mayor Cooper also thanked First Lady Jill Biden for her presence and support.

Musical performances included Sheryl Crow singing "I Shall Believe," Margo Price performing Bob Dylan's "Tears of Rage," and Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show performing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."

Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake acknowledged the emotional toll on the city's first responders: "Our police officers have cried and are crying with Nashville and the world. I have cried and continued to cry and have prayed for Nashville as well."

In an interview with NBC News, Chief Drake suggested that "resentment" might have motivated the shooter, who was a former student of the private Christian school.

In a statement provided to PEOPLE, The Covenant School shared their grief and shock: "We are focused on loving our students, our families, our faculty and staff, and beginning the process of healing."