Somber Vigil In Suffolk For School Shooting Victims: Photos

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Seventeen names written inside a giant heart in front of Hook Mill in East Hampton Village on Saturday symbolized heartfelt support and sympathy for the Parkland school shooting victims, families and friends.

A vigil was organized for Saturday night in remembrance of the 17 who were shot and killed — as well as the many who were injured — Wednesday after a former student opened fire in a horrific act of mass violence at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.

The vigil, organized by East Hampton Town Trustee Brian Byrnes, Windmill Village Senior Housing Managers Gerry Mooney and Kathy Byrnes, and Anna Skrenta, reflected hands and ohearts coming together to pay tribute and stand strong for change.

Each attendee held a flower, provided by Wittendale's and others, and sang "Imagine" in memory of the victims.

Local student Genesis Carino read a poem called "The Final Act", that she had written for the occasion.

Passionate words of sympathy were expressed by Reverend Donald P. Hammond of Amagansett's First Presbyterian Church, East Hampton Village Mayor Paul Rickenbach, Jr., East Hampton Town Councilman Jeffrey Bragman, Mooney and Skrenta.

The vigil sadly reminded all in attendance of a similar event held at Hook Mill in 2012 in memory of the Sandy Hook shooting, where a Christmas tree stood at the windmill's base, to commemorate each victim.

Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography, soniboy@aol.com.

Reporting by Richard Lewin.