Sarah Rice / Getty Images

Mourners embrace after a prayer vigil for victims of the Oikos University shootings at the Allen Temple Baptist Church on April 3, 2012 in Oakland, California.

Sarah Rice / Getty Images

Members of the clergy take turns leading prayer during a vigil for victims of the shootings at the Allen Temple Baptist Church on April 3, 2012.

Msnbc.com staff and news services report — About 1,000 people, including relatives and friends of the seven people shot dead at a small Christian college in Oakland, Calif, gathered for a memorial service on Tuesday evening at the Allen Temple Baptist Church, where the congregation consists mainly of African-American and Korean-American worshippers. 

• Report: Oikos University shootings suspect 'can't deal with women'

Many of the assembled wept quietly with hands clasped and heads bowed. Flowers were laid at the podium, where clergy from different faiths offered prayers. Some mourners swayed and waved their hands in the air and wiped tears from their eyes while hymns were sung.

• Oakland shooting: Private Christian school catered to Koreans

One of the speakers, Mayor Jean Quan, said the gun violence that shook Oakland this week could occur anywhere in America.

"This is America, where you can find a gun easier than mental health services," she said. Read more.

Stephen Lam / Reuters

Mourners gather for a prayer vigil at Allen Temple Baptist Church on April 3, 2012.

Follow @msnbc_pictures