Tampa Bay Students Remember Victims On Anniversary Of Shooting

PLANT CITY, FL -- It was an emotional morning for students and staff at Durant High School as they shared a moment of silence to remember the 17 victims killed during the Parkland shooting one year ago today.

Teacher Lia Grebus lost her close friend, Chris Hixon, in the Feb. 14 shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

To honor the shooting victims, students released 17 white balloons, one for each victim, at 8 a.m. during a voluntary student-led prayer circle around the school flagpole.

They also wrote the names of the victims in chalk in the courtyard with an inspirational saying next to each name.

Additionally, Durant students will spray paint 17 rocks for the memorial garden, a place where students and staff can sit in quiet reflection.

Schools in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties joined Broward County public schools in observing a moment of silence at 10:17 a.m.

Tonight, there will be two vigils to honor the 17 shooting victims:

We the Students and Moms Demand Action will hold a candlelight vigil on Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. at Williams Park at 330 2nd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.

March for Our Lives Tampa Bay will also hold a Feb. 14 vigil from 7 to 8 p.m. at 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., by Tampa City Hall.

Video via Hillsborough County School District

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