Candlelight vigil for Bradley Haas draws hundreds

CONCORD — Small glowing candles illuminated the faces of hundreds of people who came out for a candlelight vigil Monday for Bradley Haas, a state hospital security guard and former police chief in Franklin, shot and killed at New Hampshire Hospital on Friday.

Haas and a yet unnamed State Trooper kept the incident contained within the psychiatric hospital's lobby, according to a press release from the Attorney General's Office.

Many staff of New Hampshire Hospital attended the vigil to remember Haas, including Kathy Vidaver, who works in the rehabilitation department.

“I worked with Brad, he was a wonderful man,” Vidaver said. “I’m here to grieve and celebrate him with everyone.”

Gov. Chris Sununu was one of the first to give remarks during the vigil.

"For decades through all of his endeavors, he went to work each day with the protection of the community as his goal," said Sununu. “Family members of Chief Haas are present with us tonight, and we would like to express their gratitude, our gratitude and the support of everyone here for that sacrifice.”

The weather cooled as it quickly turned to night as many speakers took turns offering condolences and support to the Haas family and Haas' coworkers. The heat of hand warmers didn’t prevent numbness in fingertips, and faces burned just as bright from the glow of candles as from the whipping of the wind. But the crowd stood strong, showing up in large numbers. Concord Mayor Jim Bouley was the last to speak before the singing of "Amazing Grace" to bring the evening to an end.

“It is in our darkest moments that the inherent strength and resilience of humanity is seen,” Bouley said. “Tonight, each and every one of you is a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, we can find solace, support and hope in our collective efforts to rebuild [and] to heal.”