Residents attended the vigil at Stratford City Hall to remember the 26 victims who were killed during the Sandy Hook shooting.

Victoria Soto, a first grade teacher, was one of the victims who was killed during the shooting five years ago.

Educators say Soto protected her first grade students on the day of the shooting and her family says many of those children may still be alive today because of her.

Soto’s family says they would like to see an end to mass shootings across the country but they say it’s not just about ending gun violence.

“We also need to work on ourselves and be better humans and treat each other with kindness,” says Soto’s sister Jillian Soto.

The Vicki Soto Memorial Fund has raised $127,000 from its annual 5K race that provides scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing a career in education.