A memorial outside Stoneman Douglas High School is rapidly growing as people stop by to pay their respects and try to process the horror that happened at the school Wednesday.
“It’s heart wrenching. It’s devastating," Lindsay Carver said.
“I don’t think anyone can still wrap their mind around this," Meryl Schwartz said.
Despite the constant crowd of people outside the school, it was very quiet as people placed flowers, candles, stuffed animals, personalized cards and more around 17 memorials, one for each life lost.
“It’s been difficult," Schwartz said. "Even though I’m not directly connected to it, I still just feel for the parents. I can’t even imagine.”
FULL COVERAGE: Parkland school shooting
“It’s just shaken us all up," Carver said. "We had to do something even if it was the smallest gesture. We had to bring flowers, balloons. We had to do something.”
"Four of my most formative years were spent here, so it’s absolutely terrible," said Michelle Carver, who graduated from Douglas 20 years ago.
People say they've witnessed the strength of the Parkland and Coral Springs community over the last several days and they believe that will continue.
"Just how fast everybody responded and how they’re all coming together makes me want to live in the area," Ellen Allen said.
"It’ll be sad for a long time," Lindsay Carver said.
