ODU students hold vigil for CT victims

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A group of students from Old Dominion University held a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Connecticut school shooting Friday night.

The 'Global Student Friendship' group gathered at Crossroads Church on Surrey Crescent. The group had originally planned to meet at the church for a Christmas gift swap for local children, but after news of the shooting broke Friday, the group considered canceling the event altogether.

Instead, organizer Kurnia Foe decided to give the gathering a greater purpose. All of the children and parents who attended the vigil lit candles and prayed together for the victims.

"We are a community who will keep sending a message of hope and caring to our loved ones here, and also with Americans," Foe said.

Like many parents, Foe could hardly wait for his children to come home from school Friday.

"I grabbed them and I hugged them in my hands," he said. "I was reminded how grateful I am, but at the same time, my heart went to the families that could not do what I did."

ODU doctoral candidate Sanghoon Son was still holding tight to his daughter at the vigil Friday night.

"It's one of the saddest stories I have heard, actually in my life," said Son. "As a parent, child and children are one of the precious things in life."

After several group prayers, members sang 'Amazing Grace,' knowing there was nothing they could say to make the day better.

They trust the Lord will make sure their prayers get to the empty hearts in Connecticut, hearts that may never be whole again.

"We have each other," said Foe. "God is good."