Salt Lake City candlelight vigil, memorial planned for Sandy Hook victims on 1-year anniversary

A candlelight vigil and memorial service have been planned to commemorate the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting, in which 20 children lost their lives at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., including Ogden native Emilie Parker.

The candlelight vigil will commence Friday at 6 p.m. at 55 South Temple, near the north entrance to City Creek Center.

On Saturday, the first anniversary of the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting, an interdenominational memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, 569 S. 1300 East, and will include speeches from religious leaders, antigun activists and music from members of the International Children's Choir.

Both events were organized by Gunsense, a Salt Lake City-based organization that intends to shed light on "the epidemic of gun violence," according to a media release.

Among the fallen at Sandy Hook Elementary was Emilie Parker, a 6-year-old Utah native with bright blue eyes and an even brighter personality for whom a small garden, bench and plaque were erected along the Ogden River Parkway.

The Parker family will not be attending either service as they are traveling abroad.

mlang@sltrib.comTwitter: @Marissa_Jae