In the aftermath of a tragic mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan, New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday night led a solemn vigil to honor the victims, including fallen NYPD Officer Islam.

The event drew city officials, community members, and law enforcement personnel united in grief and resilience.

“Tonight is what our city represents. As New Yorkers, in difficult times, we show the country, and each other, our resiliency and our ability to stand tall,” Mayor Adams said, addressing a heartbroken city.

The mayor described the emotional toll the incident has taken on him and the community.

“This is an extremely emotional moment for all in our city. It breaks my heart to see what happened to these innocent New Yorkers. It tore me apart. It took something away from me,” he said.

Reflecting on the broader impact of violence, Adams added, “When a bullet hits the body of a human being, the trajectory of pain rips apart the anatomy of our society.”

Mayor Adams recounted walking through the scene with NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban Tisch. “As NYPD Commissioner Tisch and I walked through the building late last night, we saw the blood trails and the videos of the level of violence that I have not seen before,” he revealed.

He commended the NYPD for their bravery during the crisis. “I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who ran into a building with an active shooter last night, not knowing what lay ahead. They run towards danger when we all want to run away. I thank them for what they do for us every single day.”

In a poignant moment, Adams reflected on a conversation with Officer Islam’s father. “Speaking to Officer Islam’s father last night and learning that he was his only son, it reminded me that though I’m the mayor, I’m also a father. I thought about my son and the unbearable pain I would feel if the roles were reversed.”

He added, “Children are supposed to bury their parents. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their children.”

Calling for reform, Adams said, “There have been way too many mass shootings in our society. We can do better. We deserve better.”

Reaffirming his dedication to public safety, he concluded, “I’m going to commit my life, just as I did since I wore a bulletproof vest on our city streets, to protecting the children and families of this city. It’s my job to keep you safe. That’s what I swore to do when I took the oath of office.”

The vigil served as both a remembrance and a call to action, as the city continues to grapple with the trauma of gun violence and the loss of innocent lives.