ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A vigil at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Rochester honored Sam Nordquist, the transgender man who was tortured for over a month and killed in Ontario County.

Dozens gathered on Monday night to show their support for Nordquist and his family. Others spoke on the importance of solidarity and safety for the LGBTQ community. There have also been several vigils in Ontario County.

Seven people have been charged with Nordquist’s murder. New York State Police say the 24-year-old endured “prolonged physical and psychological abuse” before he died.

According to Nordquist’s family, the Minnesota native traveled to the Finger Lakes region on Sept. 28 to meet his girlfriend, Precious Arzuaga, who he connected with online. They eventually lost contact with him and reported him missing on Feb. 9.

Investigators found his body in a field in Yates County three days later. Arzuaga and her son are among those charged with murder. The Ontario County District Attorney’s Office said there’s no indication at this time that Nordquist’s murder was a hate crime.

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• ‘Disgusting’: Sister of transgender man killed in Ontario County reacts to more arrests (Feb. 22)
• Son of suspect among 2 newly charged in Ontario County murder case (Feb. 21)
• What we know about the 5 people accused of killing Sam Nordquist (Feb. 18)
• Hundreds gather in Canandaigua to honor Sam Nordquist, transgender man found dead in Yates County (Feb. 17)
• ‘How can you be that evil’; Family demands justice in murder of Sam Nordquist (Feb. 15)
• NYSP: Man missing in Canandaigua tortured and killed; Five people charged (Feb. 14)