Images of heartbreak and sadness continue to live on throughout the nation, especially in our upstate communities. Many are left asking questions, and searching for answers as to how one person could commit such a hateful act, following a mass shooting at a Buffalo Tops.

Bishop Mario Williams and Reverend Henry Ausby say now is more of a time than ever to lean on faith.

“It’s the foundation when things are good and it’s the foundation when things are bad. So when we face situations like this, which was horrific, then of course that has to be the foundation to how we respond to it,” said Ausby of Hands of Hope Ministries.

Both men have been strong advocates for the Greater Binghamton community for decades, a community where the alleged Buffalo Tops shooter grew up and went to school.

They hope their response in the days and weeks to follow will show the rest of the nation what their region is really about.

“It’s important for us to show that unity and oneness and to come together, and we can’t do so, we can’t allow the evil of individuals reflect snag this community is all about,” said Williams of River of Life Ministries.

“We cannot respond to acts of violence by that same thing, by acts of other hatred or revenge. We have to respond with acts of love and forgiveness,” said Ausby.

Williams and Ausby lead churches of diverse backgrounds in Binghamton. They say when it comes to dealing with, or even preventing racism in young people, it all starts at home.

“If you put Black and white children, Asian children out on the playground and let them play together, they’ll just play together and have fun. They’ll have their differences and their moments but they’ll come back out and play with each other, but it’s when the parents say, 'Johnny, you can’t play with her because of her skin,'” said Williams.

Ausby says the burden now shifts to those who aren’t willing to speak up and stand against these types of acts and beliefs.

"Somebody should be up there shouting at the top of their voices, this lie is a lie and it is wrong. Right is right, wrong is wrong, and it should be somebody willing to stand up and just say it," said Ausby.

Ausby helps coordinate National Night Out in Binghamton, where he aims to get people of all backgrounds together to form friendships and build bonds with police. Williams was granted to key to the city for his work within the Binghamton community.