thousand people in the city of Perry. The tragedy is hitting the community hard. vlog's Ophelie Jacobson is LIVE with the strong show of support tonight.. Ophelie? Stacey... This was a huge turnout. Hundreds of people were here at Wiese Park earlier this evening --- lighting up the sky with their candles as they take the first steps in navigating how to move forward. <CLIP 3526 TIME 18:38:44 "LORD LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN PRAYING."> Lifting their prayers <CLIP 3526 TIME 18:38:50 "LORD SEND DOWN YOUR SPIRIT IN THIS PLACE."> and lifting their voices. <CLIP 3523 TIME 18:37:19 "ALMIGHTY GOD, THROUGH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. OUR TRUST IS IN YOU."> people in Perry stood shoulder to shoulder at Wiese Park. Offering a hand to hold --- and a hug to have on a day the unthinkable happened. <CLIP 3517 TIME 18:29:15 "WE'RE STILL TRYING TO WRAP OUR MINDS AROUND IT."> A huge showing of support ---- in a community that prides itself in being small. Candles lit up the cold, dark January night... <CLIP 3542 TIME 18:52:545 "MAY THIS VIGIL BE A BEACON OF LIGHT ILLUMINATING THE PATH TOWARD HEALING AND UNITY."> as people honored the life of the sixth-grader who tragically died ---- <CLIP 3559 TIME 19:21:44 "THE YOUNG MAN THAT WAS KILLED TODAY WAS AN AMAZING LITTLE BOY AND HE WAS THE SWEETEST. AND I KNOW HIS FAMILY AND I WANT THEM TO REALIZE HOW AMAZING HE WAS."> and the five victims who were injured. Therapy dogs were also at the vigil. Hot drinks and t- shirts that read "PERRY STRONG" were handed out. But more than anything --- prayers of hope, forgiveness and of healing were shared. <CLIP 3526 TIME 18:38:57 "LORD LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN PRAYING."> It's what many say will carry them through this dark time. <CLIP 3526 TIME 18:39:03 SEND US LOVE, SEND US HOPE, SEND US PEACE."> This wasn't the only vigil that took place today. Earlier in the afternoon, several assisted living homes held prayer vigils at two. And at seven, Crossroads Church also held a prayer vigil. Live in Perr
Families of Sandy Hook victims release statement on Perry High School shooting
![vlog logo]()
Updated: 5:21 PM CST Jan 5, 2024
Family members of the victims of one of the deadliest school shootings in American history released a statement Friday about the shooting at Perry High School.Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization started by family members of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that saw 26 people die, released a statement about Thursday's shooting, calling it a "stark reminder of the epidemic of gun violence that continues to plague our country."More about Sandy Hook: Remembering the Sandy Hook victims: 11 years later"We are heartbroken for the loved ones of the student killed in this tragedy and for those injured. The pain and anguish felt after a child is taken by senseless violence is incomprehensible," said Nicole Hockley, who lost her son, Dylan, in the Sandy Hook shooting. "The trauma for all survivors and those impacted will be with them for the rest of their lives. We understand firsthand this nightmare journey and are here to offer support to anyone affected by this tragedy."Officials say a 17-year-old shooter killed a sixth-grade student and wounded seven other people — four other students and the high school principal, Dan Marburger, along with two other staff members who have not been identified — before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Marburger is stable after multiple surgeries, according to a Facebook post from his daughter.Authorities have not released further information about the condition of any of the other injured victims."As presidential candidates continue to campaign in Iowa, we urge them and all elected officials to prioritize sensible solutions to gun violence that protect students in schools and put an end to this public health crisis afflicting our country," said Mark Barden, whose son, Daniel, was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting.“We must continue to advocate for policies that keep deadly weapons out of the hands of unauthorized users and those who may be a danger to themselves or others. It’s imperative that our elected officials respond to this crisis by supporting sensible solutions that prioritize the safety of children."More coverage from the Perry High School shootingAuthorities identify 17-year-old shooter who killed 1, wounded 5 in Perry school shootingFamilies recount terrifying moments from inside Perry High School during deadly shootingPolice on massive response to Perry High School: 'No community is immune'Iowa leaders, elected officials react to Perry High School shootingResources available for families impacted by Perry High School shootingDispatch recordings provide timeline of Perry High School shooting in IowaPerry High School principal Dan Marburger among 5 wounded'May this vigil be a beacon of light': Hundreds gather at Perry park to pray and mourn as a community
PERRY, Iowa — Family members of the victims of one of the deadliest school shootings in American history released a statement Friday about the shooting at Perry High School.
Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization started by family members of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that saw 26 people die, released a statement about Thursday's shooting, calling it a "stark reminder of the epidemic of gun violence that continues to plague our country."
More about Sandy Hook: Remembering the Sandy Hook victims: 11 years later
"We are heartbroken for the loved ones of the student killed in this tragedy and for those injured. The pain and anguish felt after a child is taken by senseless violence is incomprehensible," said Nicole Hockley, who lost her son, Dylan, in the Sandy Hook shooting. "The trauma for all survivors and those impacted will be with them for the rest of their lives. We understand firsthand this nightmare journey and are here to offer support to anyone affected by this tragedy."
Officials say a 17-year-old shooter killed a sixth-grade student and wounded seven other people — four other students and the high school principal, Dan Marburger, along with two other staff members who have not been identified — before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Marburger is stable after multiple surgeries, according to a Facebook post from his daughter.
Authorities have not released further information about the condition of any of the other injured victims.
"As presidential candidates continue to campaign in Iowa, we urge them and all elected officials to prioritize sensible solutions to gun violence that protect students in schools and put an end to this public health crisis afflicting our country," said Mark Barden, whose son, Daniel, was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting.
“We must continue to advocate for policies that keep deadly weapons out of the hands of unauthorized users and those who may be a danger to themselves or others. It’s imperative that our elected officials respond to this crisis by supporting sensible solutions that prioritize the safety of children."
More coverage from the Perry High School shooting
