Stewartville community holds prayer vigil following school shooting

STEWARTVILLE, Minn. (KTTC) – Dozens of community members gathered Wednesday evening for a prayer vigil in downtown Stewartville, five days after a shooting outside the high school that left one student critically injured and the gunman dead.

Last Friday, a Stewartville high school wrestler was shot and critically injured in the school parking lot. Logan Moyer, a 19-year-old former Stewartville student, died by suicide during the incident. The victim remains in critical but stable condition.

The vigil took place in front of the Tiger Pride memorial outside C & M Printing. Charles and CarolAnn Jackson organized the event to cover the city in prayer and keep Stewartville strong.

“Stewartville Strong, we are strong together, and God is with us every step of the way,” Charles Jackson said.

CarolAnn Jackson said the timing of the vigil was intentional.

“The reason it’s five days after the event and not right away is because the immediate needs are tangible. People really, truly need space. They truly, truly need privacy,” she said.

The Jacksons organized prayers for the Moyer family, the victim in recovery, and others affected by the tragedy.

“So, we’re hoping that they can really feel and see and sense not only the prayer itself, but also the physical presence of people showing that we stand beside you,” CarolAnn Jackson said.

Students remember Logan Moyer

Moyer’s death has been heavy for his friends and former classmates at Stewartville High School.

“He’s fun to be around. He’s always willing to do stuff. He’s just one of those guys you want to keep around the rest of your life,” Moyer’s friend and 2024 Stewartville High School graduate Tarin Conlin said.

Landon Hay, a Stewartville High School senior and former classmate of Moyer, described the emotional impact of the incident.

“Going through the halls on Monday morning, it just really felt heavy on my heart,” Hay said.

CarolAnn said the community’s response has revealed its resilience.

“I think if people just keep being Stewartville strong, they’re going to be okay. I think there’s more love and compassion than we would have known before this going on for each other. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are in a small area to be loved and cared for. And I think it’s really emerged beautifully out of Stewartville,” she said.

The home wrestling meet scheduled for Thursday at Stewartville High School has been canceled. No makeup date has been announced.

A GoFundMe for both families can be found here. An additional fundraiser for the Moyer family can be found here.

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