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Heartbreaking Photos: Hundreds Gather for Candlelit Vigil After Conn. Shooting Rampage

Dec. 14, 2012 10:25pm Jason Howerton

Hundreds Pack Connecticut Church for Vigil After Rampage

People leaves candle and flower as they gather for a prayer vigil at St Rose Church following an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

NEWTOWN, Conn. (TheBlaze/AP) — A vigil Friday night for the victims of a school massacre in western Connecticut brought out hundreds of community members, including some parents who were struggling with mixed emotions after their own children survived the massacre.

With the church filled to capacity, hundreds spilled outside, some of them holding hands in circles and saying prayers. Others lit prayer candles and sang “Silent Night.”

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was among the speakers at the service inside the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic church.

“Many of us today and in the coming days will rely on what we have been taught and what we believe, that there is faith for a reason,” Malloy said.

The residents were gathered to mourn those killed Friday, when a man killed his mother at their home and then opened fire inside Sandy Hook Elementary School where she taught, massacring 26 people, including 20 children, as youngsters cowered in fear to the sound of gunshots reverberating through the building and screams echoing over the intercom.

The 20-year-old killer, carrying at least two handguns, committed suicide at the school, bringing the death toll to 28, authorities said.

At the vigil, the priest said the altar holds 26 candles, all of which were lit in memory of the victims. Lyrics of the last hymn of the ceremony rang out: “I will raise him up on eagle’s wings.”

The parish priest, Robert Weiss, said he spent much of Friday with victims of the families but he could not give them any answers about what happened.

After receiving word of the shooting, Tracy Hoekenga said at the vigil that she was paralyzed with fear for her two boys, fourth-grader C.J. and second grader Matthew.

“I couldn’t breathe. It’s indescribable. For a half an hour, 45 minutes, I had no idea if my kids were OK,” she said.

She said she was wrestling with many emotions as she attended the vigil.

Her son Matthew said a teacher ordered students to their cubbies and a police officer came and told them to line up and close their eyes.

“They said there could be bad staff. So we closed our eyes and we went out. When we opened our eyes, we saw a lot of broken glass and blood on the ground.”

David Connors, the father of three triplets at the school, said at a vigil that his children were taken into a closet during the lockdown.

“My son said he did hear some gunshots, as many as 10,” he said. “The questions are starting to come out. ‘Are we safe? Is the bad guy gone?’”

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Comments (41)

watashbuddyfriend
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 2:21pm
I WISH we could get a handle on the Reality of Prayer!

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justa_thought
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 11:35am
I must admit that I find it interesting, these prayer vigils. Any other day these people gather to kick God out of every aspect of our lives. They rally against prayer, they rally against saving the unborn, they rally to take God off our money, they rally against letting us say Merry Christmas, they tell us marriage is between two of anything, they say Christians are idiots and Bible thumpers, yet, when all hell breaks loose the first thing they want to do is have a prayer vigil. Makes no sense to me.
Who are they praying to? They say there is no God then them gather to pray. They make fun of us as we go to church yet they gather to pray. They hate us because we love our unborn as much as our born children. They make fun of family rated movies and want some death or sex in them to get the ratings up. They fund video game after video game of killings of all types, they play with satanic games and let their seven year olds do the same. Heck, they dont know what their kids are looking at half the time. Porn is rampant, mom is having an affair with some guy she works with or dad is having a “fling” with some 20 year old. The president is getting oral sex in the oval office, or saying lying is not a big deal. And I could go on forever. So you wonder why this stuff is happening??? Just keep going your own way. Right now its not in your town, your block, your street but, its comin your way. Im sorry for the deaths, I really am. But, you, enlightened are the reaso

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oldincarolina
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 10:24am
We need to put GOD back into our schools …..and our country.

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kickagrandma
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 8:31am
I still am numb. My mind, heart and soul cannot process the darkness or level of evil that promoted this. I was a college sophomore when Pres. Kennedy was murdered. Other leaders murders quickly followed. Then, all the illicit drugs, the decline of America as we knew her, Vietnam, and on and on and on. I am grieved for America, her soul. This never should have happened. Dear GOD IN HEAVEN, please, LORD, have mercy on us, most especially on the families ~~~ moms, dads, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles ~~~ the friends, the community, the school staff who survive. And, LORD, please turn our hearts, minds and souls to YOU. YOU ARE THE ONLY HOPE, our only answer. Thank YOU for holding us as we mourn. Protect us from the evil one who is stomping through our world. In JESUS’ SWEET AND MIGHTY NAME, amen. Come, LORD JESUS, come.

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- Vickie Dhaene
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 9:18am
  Amen.
  
  Report this comment
- RedheadedStepchild
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 11:08am
  Amen.
  
  Report this comment
tbeachhead
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 8:29am
In a war there are no answers…only a determination to fight on. We must not lose heart, if we don’t want to lose more kids. Our neighbors must be our targets, and love the only weapon that can truly mend, truly protect. If there is a Christian reading this, you know it’s Daniel’s day. it’s time to be strong, do exploits…and teach many, loving not your life but for your neighbor’s sake,

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flaboater1
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 7:13am
Where is all the outrage from the left and the atheists? People can’t be praying , the Governor can’t be talking about faith…This is sacred government entity, it is a PUBLIC SCHOOL for goodness sakes…

The godless people want to make this country devoid of God and faith… Unfortunately, the majority of leaders of this country have told God to leave us alone, we do not want any part of you, and God did…

Moral corruption, violence, breakdown of family is rampant since the ideals of “man” has won over the ideals of God, country and faith…

Unfortunately, things will get worse, much worse.

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- WildschweinJager
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 7:24am
  @FLABOATER
  
  You made some excellent points. Bring God and morals back to the classroom.
  
  Reading, writing and arithmetic, thought to the tune of a hickory stick!
  
  Report this comment
- freeberty
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 7:42am
  Read the article, the vigil was held at church not city hall.
  
  Report this comment
joe1286
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 6:52am
Very sad. Was anyone outraged whent the FBI and ATF murdered all these children in Waco TX? Was it OK because we disagreed with the David Koresh’s religious views?

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- WildschweinJager
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 7:03am
  How many was killed in WACO?
  
  Report this comment
- freeberty
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 7:45am
  Yes
  No
  76
  
  Report this comment
JBeech
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 5:52am
News just came out that in the Clackamas Mall Killings, Jacob Tyler was confronted by a concealed carrier as his weapon jammed. Please read the story below and please share, like, tweet, or whatever you can to spread this story. With the gun grabbers already starting their rounds and their media campaign, we need this information getting to the public:

http://easybakegunclub.com/news/1943/Clackamas-Mall-Shooter-Was-Confonted-By-Concealed-.html

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- kickagrandma
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 8:16am
  Thank you for the website. Read and marked! Good article.
  
  Report this comment
Diane TX
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 5:12am
It’s very hard to imagine, but the Police have to ask parents whose child are dead in inside the school, for identifying markers for their child. These babies don’t have ID cards in their pockets. The questions will be: what was your child wearing; what is the race of your child; what is their hair and eye color. This is unimaginable! Just let these parents in the building to claim their children.

A parent knows that if their child didn’t get out, they are dead. It’s horrible and unjustifiable, but that is what happened. Little children shouldn’t have to give up their lives for a crazy person. We all know this. Why did we allow this mental defect to walk among us?

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Diane TX
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 3:55am
I’m crying as I write this. For some strange reason, I became fixated on the little ones who survived, and were wearing their parent’s coats because there wasn’t any time to get their own.

Then I thought about the parents who were waiting for their child to exit the school in vain. “Their” child was one of the victims. How horrible to learn that. I can’t imagine not being able to go to the side of my dead child when I was so close, nearby.

The date of 12/14/2012 will live in infamy. A crazy person (off his meds?) wanted to punish others for his mental anguish. If he killed his self, or if the Police did us a favor, I’m just glad that there is one less crazy person in the world.

There are many questions to be answered. Did he attend this school as a young child? It has been said that his mother wasn’t a teacher at the school, but a volunteer. Did his mother continue to volunteer at the school years after her son graduated from it?

It has also been said that the mother was very strict with her deranged son. Maybe this structure was necessary for his particular mental illness.

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- WildschweinJager
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 7:08am
  This is so very sad. The children lost. The parents who must live on.
  
  I don’t know what they must feel right now. I will pray for them.
  
  Report this comment
Mahaniac
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 2:15am
I know that words are little more than useless during such trying times; but nonetheless, I grieve with these families tonight. I don’t understand why. Why the little ones? Why so close to Christmas? No answer satisfies me. But through every moment of this day and the days to come, my prayer to the Lord is that His peace will rest upon this community, this school, these teachers, parents, and students. But most importantly, I pray for the parents who lost their babies. My thoughts are with them this evening and the weeks to come. God bless them.

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- LeadNotFollow
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 3:49am
  Your words are not useless.
  You expressed what we are all feeling.
  God bless.
  
  Report this comment
HUGGINGMYBABIES
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 1:21am
I rushed to my 9 year old this evening and showered him with 27 hugs….one for all those families who can’t give one to those they lost today. God bless and keep those who heard the BAD news today. God is waiting and watching out for you. Reach for him now and you will know your loved ones are safe with him.

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- STawbush
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 2:02am
  I have three young kids : my middle is 5, and in Kindergarten…
  
  I was dying all day to hug all of my children. When I got off work and finally got to, just the sight of my Kindergarten made me burst into tears. I held him with more gratification than I’ve ever felt. My heart burned with sorrow for the unimaginable pain these moms and dads must be feeling…
  
  While the media/politicians disgustingly refuse to not let a crisis go to waste, I suggest we refuse, as well:
  May we always remember how we feel right now – the innocence of our children, the undeserving love they give us, and how blessed we are that God trusted us with them… I hope that I always remember the gratification I felt this afternoon when I held my babies …
  
  Report this comment
DarkJello
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 1:00am
We pray for one and all. Hold each other close. Life is precious. God bless.

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- Maxim Crux
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 1:07am
  You said it brother.
  
  Report this comment
catwilli
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 12:15am
Heaven received 20 angels into it’s fold today. My heart aches for each of these families

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- Uranium Wedge
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 12:33am
  We are about to witness the greatest fracture in this country since the Civil War.
  This tragedy is the breaking point.
  May god help us all.
  
  Report this comment
Restored One
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:51pm
Scew you Allison Troll! This is not the time or place to to promote your website! Take the windfall and donate it.

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Keatonc33
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:29pm
I wish the families of these victims be surrounded with comfort and love for as long as they need. I can not even imagine being in their position. I can’t Imagine not being able to take my child home from school. May all our thoughts be with them, especially being as this will be the most difficult holiday season anyone will have to endure. Hug your children tight tonight. we are merely lucky.

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- THERAPTURCOMES
  Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:45pm
  To see this, breaks my heart, and in it I see a nation falling to pieces. These are truly the end times when people can murder in cold blood sweet children and when lunatics think that by creating gun free zones that somehow evil people are going to obey the laws
  
  Truly I tell you the resurrection/rapture is at the door http://youtu.be/ahEVxIzlxwo and the gospel I preach (Romans 10:9-10) falls upon cold, cruel, unbelieving dead ears
  
  Our Father in heaven, send your Son to get His church I beg of you.
  
  Report this comment
- Restored One
  Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:54pm
  Christmas will never, ever be the same for any of those families, EVER! I pray for all of them and their community. Man, I cannot even imagine.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 12:08am
  I actually cried today. I never cry when I hear these kind of stories but something about this one just set me off, probably because they are children, and the time of year it is. but I thought of what it would be like being a parent waiting at the school looking frantically for your child and then realizing they aren’t coming out. Its beyond words.
  
  Report this comment
- Restored One
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 12:25am
  Keaton, I have been tearing up all day. As I picked up my 6th grader from school A few of the other Moms were in the same condition. What is killing me is that, these little babies are still there. Their precious bodies have not been removed. Man, that just gets to me. Oh, I can not imagine what these parents are going to have to deal with. The investigators are going to id them by the school pics, but eventually a family member is going to do what I cannot even say. I know their souls are with their maker, but I just cannot get the image out of my head.
  
  Report this comment
- BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 12:27am
  I was at work, trying to make my patient courtesy calls, when out of no where it dawned on me: the christmas presents. These parents have purchased gifts. Who among us has not bought a special gift for our child, knowing how badly they wanted it, maybe even begged for it for months. And you just can’t wait to give it to them, to see their eyes light up, a smile or scream of delight. As a parent, we so anticipate the reaction that we can hardly wait. The thought of this just brought me to tears.
  
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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 12:36am
  I know! Thats been bugging me a lot too! I’m not sure exactly why but the fact that they are still there just makes me feel sick. what a tragedy. and bought silo.. Isn’t that just awful. I have no idea what I would do.. the presents, the Joy these kids were just a week away from having. its so heart breaking. and like you said restored. these families will have a scar forever. and I am afraid that scar will tear open every holiday season. God Speed.
  
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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 12:36am
  God im going to start crying again
  
  Report this comment
- WildschweinJager
  Posted on December 15, 2012 at 7:11am
  It is a terrible loss to all.
  
  Report this comment
Cemoto78
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:24pm
Great, make sure you pay your taxes so you can facilitate all those welfare payments and keep the masses in Obama phones.

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vtxphantom
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:04pm
RIP children and adults. My sincere sympathy for those who must deal with the pain of losing a loved one.

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- neverending
  Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:53pm
  Unimaginable pain – both for the parents but also for the kids that thankfully lived through it.
  
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TruthTalker
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:57pm
My prayers are with them. Please join me.

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- Dougral Supports Israel
  Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:10pm
  I’ll join you in prayer.
  
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