WASHINGTON - Hundreds of people held a rally in honor of a Kansas abortion doctor who was gunned down inside a Wichita church Sunday.

Nearly 200 people held a vigil in front of the White House Monday night to protest the murder of Dr. George Tiller and to honor his work.

"He knew what he was fighting against and he knew that it was a risk and he was willing to take that risk for us," said Ava Barrett.

Dr. Tiller was gunned down Sunday while serving as an usher at his church in Wichita. Police say 51-year-old Scott Roeder has been arrested in connection with the shooting.

The Kansas doctor ran one of only a handful of clinics in the country that performs late-term abortions. His business was bombed in 1985 and he was shot in both arms in 1993.

Kierra Johnson of Choice USA says she spoke with Tiller in April. "He knew that he might not get to the other side with us," she said. 

On Monday, Randall Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue, spoke in Washington about Tiller and the person who took his life.

"What that man did by shooting George Tiller was wrong -- period. God does not make someone the judge, the jury and the executioner. Everybody knows that the pro-life movement is committed to non-violence," said Terry.

While one side sees Tiller as an icon in the pro-choice movement, Terry views him as the villain. "George Tiller was a mass murderer. He killed tens of thousands of innocent human beings at his own hand," he said.

Investigators are now delving into the suspect's background, criminal history and possible involvement in the pro-life movement. At this point, authorities say they believe the gunman acted alone.

 Email To Friend