Florida community holds massive vigil to honor victims of Parkland school shooting

Friday, February 16, 2018
Community members in Florida turned out in full force at a massive vigil to honor those killed in the shooting and also call for tighter gun laws.
PARKLAND, Fla. (KABC) -- Community members in Florida turned out in full force at a massive vigil in Parkland to honor the 17 people killed in the school shooting and also call for tighter gun laws.

An estimated 8,000 people gathered to remember the victims at the Thursday night vigil. Some sobbed openly as the names of the 17 people killed were read aloud.
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MORE: These are the Florida school shooting victims
These are the Florida school shooting victims


Some people brought candles and flowers while others held signs calling for action against school violence and gun control.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel was one of those demanding change. While speaking to the crowd, he said elected officials have no choice but to introduce common sense gun laws.
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"If you are an elected official and you want to keep things the way they are and not do things differently, if you want to keep the gun laws as they are now, you will not get re-elected in Broward County," the sheriff said to an applauding crowd.

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Florida sheriff gives timeline of events in school shooting


Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson plan to visit Parkland on Friday to meet with officials. President Donald Trump has said he also plans to visit at some point. He's traveling to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this weekend.



The suspected gunman, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, has confessed to the killings, according to a court affidavit. Authorities have not released a motive.



As of Friday morning, the official GoFundMe page for victims of the shooting had already raised more than $800,000. More than $500,000 of that was collected in just nine hours.



If you want to make a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/stonemandouglasvictimsfund.
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The first funeral was held Friday for a victim of the shooting. Mourners packed the Star of David chapel to remember 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff. The star soccer player was remembered as having a strong personality and as a creative writer with a memorable smile.

PHOTOS: Florida school shooting aftermath
Law enforcement vehicles arrive at a hotel where parents were instructed to pick up their children in Coral Springs, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.AP
Family members pick up students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., at a nearby hotel, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.AP
A woman consoles another as parents wait for news regarding a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.AP
Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, Medical Director Trauma, left, and Dr. Evan Boyer, Medical Director, Emergency Services, speak about treating victims and the suspectAP
Family member embrace following a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Fla.AP
Students wait to be picked up after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.AP
Police and rescue vehicles are shown outside Broward Health North hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Deerfield Beach, Fla.AP
A law enforcement officer tells anxious family members to move back, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Fla.AP
Family members embrace after a student walked out from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Fla.AP
Anxious family members watch a rescue vehicle pass by, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Fla.AP
Parents wait for news after a reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.AP
A law enforcement officer talks with students, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Fla.AP
Anxious family members wait for news of students as two people embrace, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Fla.AP
A student shows a law enforcement officer a photo or video from his phone, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Fla.AP
Photos from the scene show law enforcement response to a shooting at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Students shelter in place during a shooting at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Students shelter in place during a shooting at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Photos from the scene show law enforcement response to a shooting at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Photos from the scene show law enforcement response to a shooting at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Photos from the scene show law enforcement response to a shooting at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Authorities are responding to reports of shots fired at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Authorities are responding to reports of shots fired at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Authorities are responding to reports of shots fired at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Authorities are responding to reports of shots fired at a Florida high school.Creative Content
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Photos show a police response to reports of shots fired at a Florida high school.Creative Content
Photos show a police response to reports of shots fired at a Florida high school.Creative Content
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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