Thousands Gather for Evening Vigil for Florida School Shooting (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Prior to the vigil, a total of 17 angels — one for each life taken in the attack — lined the stage of the Pines Trail Amphitheatre as throngs of people descended on the park to pay their respects and celebrate the lives of those who died at the hands of Nikolas Cruz.

​Students & parents gathering at Pine Trails Park as they lay flowers near the symbolic 17 angels. Vigil tonight at 6pm. #StonemanShooting #Parkland @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/thtfZ0Nqps

During the vigil, which began at 6 p.m., several speakers took to the stage to pray for those who lost their lives and others still fighting to recover in the hospital.

"I don't always get to say 'I love you.' I don't remember if I said that to Jaime yesterday morning," said father of Jaime Guttenberg, one of the 17 victims killed in the shooting. "Don't tell me there's no such thing as gun violence. It happened in Parkland."

​Thousands of people in attendance in Parkland at a vigil for the victims of yesterday's school shooting at Stoneman Douglas. pic.twitter.com/IgkKroKBuL

While many attended the vigils to mourn or offer words of encouragement, others took a political approach, calling for a change in legislation concerning gun ownership and acquisition.

As time passed and the sun set, attendees joined together in a candlelight vigil to demonstrate community support as the names of the 17 victims killed were read aloud by Marjory Stone Douglas High School's senior class president.