Grief-stricken community comes together after shooting

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WHDH) -- The Newtown community is coming together to grieve and lend support to the families who lost their lives at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Residents are leaning on each other and finding comfort with their faith.

Dozens,including Connecticut’s governor and lt. governor went to a Newtown synagogue where they lost two first graders.

One was a young member.

“He was at the wrong place at the wrong time and his little body could not endure so many bullets like that,” said Rabbi Shaul Praver, Congregation Adath Israel.

The other, a friend of the congregation.

“He’s a very spirited young boy,” said Praver.

There were prayer gatherings, private vigils and many displays of grief throughout town.

“We're just close community and it’s just devastating. It’s just devastating,” Joanna Lapke choked out as she fought tears.

In spots throughout Newtown neighbors learned a child, a friend had been taken.

“I seen the state police officer’s car parked in front of the house with the other cars and I just broke down right there. I came in and told my wife just look out the window and she was just a ball of tears,” said Peter Beach, a victim’s neighbor.

In this small community, upturned with grief, one rabbi is demanding a change of culture.

“Any idiot can take a gun and shoot somebody’s brains out and we all die the same, but what takes skill and cultivation is peacemaking,” said Rabbi Shaul Praver.

Funeral arrangements are starting to be made. Rabbi Shaul Praver said he is going to have a funeral service for one of the first graders on Sunday.