Sunday morning service offers comfort for shooting survivors

The first victim funeral was held Sunday, two days after a 17-year-old student opened fire at a high school southeast of Houston.

The Islamic Society for Greater Houston says the service for 17-year-old Pakistani exchange student Sabika Sheikh was held at a mosque in suburban Houston. She'd been attending classes at Santa Fe High School since August.

Sheikh was one of ten people killed Friday. Her father described her as a hard-working and accomplished student who aspired to work in civil service. Her body will be returned to her family in Pakistan.

Earlier Sunday, Santa Fe High School students attended a church service with a message of hope and healing to remember the 10 people killed.

It was a chance to lean on their faith and begin the healing process.

The service at Arcadia 1st Baptist Church was just blocks from Santa Fe High School. Governor Greg Abbott greeted people there as well.

Before the service, seniors in the church were recognized. Students like Todd Penick, who just two days ago was facing the most terrifying moment of his life.

"We ran we looked back to see all the teachers saying go go go get out of here run,” he said.

Hunter Bloomfield also evacuated during the shooting. He called his sister in a different part of the school.

"And she was like I just heard 3 gunshots I'm like OK where are you and she was already out of the back of the school," he said.

The students say they found comfort in the message. Interim pastor Jerl Watkins says he scrapped his planned sermon, speaking instead on tragedy, hope and healing.

"We're all human beings we're all hurting and we all need, we all need that healing,” he said.

It was a morning of healing for senior Tyler Martin as well. He was friends with shooting victim Christopher Jake Stone, and teacher Glenda Perkins, he says, was his favorite.

"She was actually our sub this past Tuesday and it's just hard going back thinking about it talking to her and realizing that that was going to be the last time I talked to her," said Martin.

"I had a powder puff game having the time of my life the day before and then the next day people are getting shot so it's just hard on everyone," said Bloomfield.