Vigil held for Thomas Pauli

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Several downtown and Heartside neighborhood congregations, ministries and agencies gathered Saturday night to remember a man who froze to death in late January.

Thomas Pauli was found dead in the 600 block of South Division on January 27. Pauli was homeless and had been turned away from downtown shelters because of his past criminal record.

Temperatures on the 26th and 27th ranged from 2 above to 3 below zero.

The vigil will serve to remember Pauli's life and provide an opportunity to analyze the law that forced Pauli to the streets that January evening.

The event began at Degage Ministries. Participants walked in silence to the site where Pauli's body was found where there was a prayer service. The event continued at Bethlehem Lutheran Church located at 250 Commerce Ave. SW.