A Day Of Mourning As More School Shooting Victims Laid To Rest
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PARKLAND (CBSMiami) - Two teenagers who lost their lives in Wednesday's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High were laid to rest on Monday.
Funeral services for Luke Hoyer, 15, were held in Coral Springs. Luke is said to have loved video games, fast food and dreamed of becoming a basketball player. Also laid to rest in Coral Springs was fellow student 14-year-old Alaina Petty.
"She was a terrific young lady...very saddened for her and her family," said Jose Castanos, President and spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints.
Her parents, in their only public statement wrote, "While we will not have the opportunity to watch her grow and become the amazing woman that we know she would have become, we are keeping an eternal perspective. We are grateful that Alaina is part of our eternal family and we will reunite with her."
Of her, her family says, "It is impossible to sum up all that Alaina was, and meant, to her family and friends. Alaina was a vibrant and determined young woman, loved by all who knew her."
A viewing will be held Monday for 14-year-old Gina Montalto served on the school's winter guard team.
Monday night was one of gathering strength and rallying to a cause.
Four vigils were held in four cities that surrounded Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach and Sunrise.
Young people were fired up, wanting change in the state and nation's gun laws, and they, with the optimism of youth, are sure they can get things done.
"Because we are the future," said Sergio Palacio. "Even if we don't make it in this generation, the next one will someone will."
On Sunday, memorial services were held for two students and a teacher.
In Boca Raton, a family walked beside the casket of 35-year-old teacher and Navy veteran Scott Beigel. He shielded his students from gunfire at the time of the shooting.
One woman who did not know Biegel showed up to his funeral.
"We are in pain! I don't even know this young man but my heart has been bleeding for days," she said.
"The love we had for each other was special we complete each other and we made each other better people," said Beigel's fiance Gwen Gossler during the service.
Also laid to rest Sunday was 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg who wanted to be an occupational therapist.
Servies were also held for 15-year-old Alex Schacter. Known for his hard work in music, he leaves behind a brother and father.
Over the weekend, dozens of people showed up to mourn in front of the high school.
"Everyone is so sad over this and there is no reason to talk honestly, you can't even describe it," said student Michael Kozakoff.
A woman who was not affiliated with the school came to pay their respects as well.
"It's showing us that we need to really get together as humans and help each other," she said.
