'Uplifting in a dark time': Mass shooting survivor to throw first pitch at Reds game

A survivor of a July 6 mass shooting in a Northern Kentucky suburb will throw the ceremonial first pitch during the Cincinnati Reds game Friday in honor of the other victims who were wounded or killed, including her mother.

Chloe Parrett, 19, was shot alongside six others, four fatally, when a lone gunman opened fire on partygoers at her brother's 21st birthday party in Florence.

Among those killed were her mom, 44-year-old Melissa Parrett , Shane Miller , 20, Hayden Rybicki, 20, and Delaney Eary, 19. Three people were wounded. Police identified the shooter as Chase Garvey, 21 , who turned the gun on himself shortly after the shooting.

A Reds spokesperson confirmed that the other victims' family members will join Parrett on the field at Great American Ball Park before the Reds face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates . The game is scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m.

Chloe Parrett already had tickets for Friday's game, which she planned to attend with her mom and some friends, Bruce Parrett, her father, told The Enquirer. After the shooting, one of her friends wrote to the Reds to nominate her to throw the first pitch and the team agreed.

The Reds also allowed up to 12 people to join Chloe Parrett on the field, so she started reaching out to the other surviving victims and the families of those killed, Bruce Parrett said, adding that her mom's best friend will be behind home plate to catch the ball.

"It's just something a little uplifting in a dark time," he said of the community's backing since the shooting. "It just makes us feel supported."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Uplifting in a dark time': Mass shooting survivor to throw first pitch at Reds game