Dozens of mourners gathered outside the Chicago home of a soldier killed in the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.

Many standing in Pvt. Francheska Velez's yard Monday clutched candles and had tears in their eyes. Others came forward to sign an American flag on a front gate. The crowd sang along when Sean "Diddy" Combs' song "I'll Be Missing You" blared from a speaker.

One of those keeping vigil, Cesar Gandia, says he last saw his friend when she came home for a visit from Iraq in August. He recalls how Velez insisted on wearing high heels the entire time because she was sick of combat boots.

The 21-year-old had planned to return to Chicago soon because she was pregnant. One other Illinois soldier, Pfc. Michael Pearson of Bolingbrook, also died.