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Vigil Held In Mount Vernon For Newtown Victim From Maryland

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It is the final day of funerals for the victims of the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Saturday, a young girl was laid to rest with a special connection to our city.

Rochelle Ritchie explains.

Josephine Gay was just 7 years old and loved the Ravens. This afternoon her funeral in Newtown drew hundreds of mourners. In Mount Vernon, a vigil was held in her honor.

Gay's angelic face, bright smile and innocence is now being remembered. She was one of 20 children fatally shot and killed December 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The shooting rocked the nation.

Josephine turned seven just three days before the shooting. She was a native of Columbia, Maryland and moved with her parents to Newtown four years ago.

Several people who have felt the pain of the tragedy in Newtown gathered in Mount Vernon to remember Josephine and the 25 other victims.

"As a father of three, it's extremely upsetting and a week later everything is still setting in," said one man who spoke at the vigil.

"It's something that strikes to the core of all humanity," said Zainab Chaudry, who also spoke.

Her family has not come forward to speak about the shooting but released a statement that read, "She touched the lives of so many around her: Teachers, therapists, friends, neighbors, all loved and cherished her."

The shooting in Newtown has sparked debate on gun laws. Many are calling for the ban of assault weapons and other for more security at schools.

Six-year-olds Ana Marquez-Greene and Emilie Parker were also laid to rest today.

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