Coral Springs Honors Victims of MSD Shooting on 8th Anniversary

Community holds ceremonies and tributes to remember the 14 students and 3 staff members killed in the 2018 tragedy.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Coral Springs community came together to honor the lives lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting that occurred 8 years ago. A group of doves were released, candles were lit next to photos of the victims, and relatives shared memories of their loved ones during a memorial ceremony. Another ceremony at Pine Trails Park featured speakers, community leaders, and musicians paying tribute to the victims, with a vow that they will never be forgotten. A permanent memorial is also being planned to honor their memory.

Why it matters

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting was a tragic event that deeply impacted the Coral Springs community. Holding annual remembrance ceremonies helps the community heal, honor the victims, and ensure their legacies are not forgotten. These events also serve as a reminder of the need for continued gun violence prevention efforts.

The details

The memorial ceremonies included the release of doves, the lighting of candles next to photos of the victims, and relatives sharing personal memories of their loved ones who were killed. Speakers, community leaders, and musicians also paid tribute during a ceremony at Pine Trails Park, vowing that the victims will never be forgotten. A permanent memorial is in the works to further honor their memory.

  • The ceremonies took place on Saturday, February 15, 2026 - 8 years after the 2018 shooting.
  • A permanent memorial is being planned to honor the victims.

The players

Tony Montalto

The father of Gina Rose Montalto, one of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting.

Rich Walker

The Mayor of Parkland, the city where the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school is located.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody who was taken that day was really a special person, and that's what makes it such a tragedy, is that we lost so many wonderful individuals, of course through our family, our beautiful daughter Gina Rose, we miss her every day, her bright smile, her laughter.”

— Tony Montalto, Father of Gina Rose Montalto (wsvn.com)

“It's extremely important for our community that we have an opportunity again to remember their names, remember their faces, and honor not just the victims, but the families, and just remember how strong this community has been throughout.”

— Rich Walker, Mayor of Parkland (wsvn.com)

What’s next

A permanent memorial is being planned to further honor the memory of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting.

The takeaway

The annual remembrance ceremonies in Coral Springs demonstrate the community's unwavering commitment to honoring the victims of the tragic 2018 shooting and ensuring their legacies live on. These events also serve as a powerful reminder of the need for continued efforts to prevent gun violence and support those impacted by such tragedies.