VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Wednesday is normally band practice for the Tidewater Pipes and Drums group, but when one member couldn't make it, they brought the practice to him.
Full Coverage: Tragedy in Virginia Beach
Chris Rapp was a new member to the group who had a natural talent for bagpipes. His talent was cut short when a gunman killed him at his workplace in the municipal center. He was one of 12 people fatally shot.
"It's very sad. I mean, it's incredibly sad," said Vice President Jeff Christman. "I never would have thought. You go to work one day and you don't come home."
Christman remembered Rapp as a man with a bright smile and calm demeanor.
"He had a winning personality. He was not loud or boisterous. He made friends very easily," said Christman.
The group left a space for him in their lineup as they played "Amazing Grace" at a memorial site. It was played 12 times in honor of every life lost.
"We figured this was the best way we could do something that no one else could do except us," said Christman.
The group plans to memorialize Rapp and play at his funeral.
More about the victims:
- Tragedy in Virginia Beach: Remembering Laquita Brown
- Melanie Coffey: 'You are heroes who serve our community every day...' | Shooting survivor thanks first responders
- Survivor: Keith Cox saved lives during the Municipal Center shooting
- '...Kind, warm, funny, giving, and loving...' | Mary Lou Gayle's children release statement
- Joshua Hardy: 'Picture perfect neighbor' among the slain in mass shooting
- Mass shooting victim Missy Langer was supposed to be on vacation with her sister
- Man remembers friend, Richard Nettleton, who was killed in the Virginia Beach mass shooting
- 'Her laugh was infectious' | Best friend remembers Kate Nixon
- Stafford County honors Virginia Beach shooting victim Christopher Rapp
- Herbert Snelling: Church, friends remember contractor killed in Virginia Beach mass shooting