Victims of Newtown massacre

More than 2,000 Newtown residents met on a soccer field tonight to remember the victims - and bring comfort to one another.

 Thousands of townspeople – many in tears – gathered together at a candlelight vigil on a local soccer field Friday night to honor and remember the 27 victims in last week's elementary school massacre.

A bell sounded after each victim's name was solemnly read, as residents clutched teddy bears and held candles that flickered on a cold, damp night.

Police estimate that more than 2,000 came to the event. Artificial trees decorated with paper angels stood near a stage at the front of the field – each angel wearing a lei shipped on ice from Hawaii, said vigil organizer Sarah Ferris, 20.

Newtown's Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson said that the shooting "shattered" the Newtown community's "sense of safety."