family-oriented. reporter: this morning, christmas was so close, you could smell it. then in an instant christmas never seemed further away. this is most definitely the worst thing we experienced here in town. reporter: maybe it was the setting and the season that gave today s slaughter of innocence such an awful resonance. so close to the holidays where everybody is suppose to be happy it breaks your heart. the poor families, and as a parent. you know, thinking how you would feel. you know, you can t even imagine. reporter: marcy benitez runs a clothing store for children, on any other day her shop would be filled with voices and christmas wishes. the clothes on her racks, mute reminders of those who will never wear them. like everyone in town, marcy is
could smell it. then in an instant christmas never seemed further away. this is most definitely the worst thing we experienced here in town. reporter: maybe it was the setting and the season that gave today s slaughter of innocence such an awful resonance. as heartbreaking as it is, for something like that to happen, but so close to the holidays where everybody is supposed to be so happy. it breaks your heart. as a parent you know, thinking how you would feel. you know, you can t even imagine. reporter: marcy benitez runs a clothing store for children, on any other day her shop would be filled with voices and christmas wishes. this afternoon, only the sound on television news filled the emtiness. the clothes on her racks, mute reminders of those who will never wear them.
like everyone in town, marcy is heart sick, desperately trying to understand what happened. everybody is like family. you know, it is such a close knit community. and everybody knows each other and helps each other. you know, it is a heartbreaking situation. reporter: he moved here more than 30 years ago so his son, michael junior, could attend the schools. both father and son know families affected by the tragedy. we have reached out to a few. we don t have definite answers as far as status on everyone. but we re still hopeful and we re still looking out to find out some of the information about them. i would have never thought something of this horrific tragedy would have come to sandy hook. i mean, this is such a sweet town. reporter: at the local methodist church on the main street of town they opened the sanctuary this afternoon for people to come and pray. the red cross is setting up shop in the basement. just want to be here for people that need to be with god and to
this is a place to come and be with god and try to make some sense of this. reporter: all over town, signs ask for prayers for their friends and neighbors. i have friends who work in that school. i know families who go there. if it affects one person, it affects everybody. whether it s, you know, your own kid or not, it s like it s your own. reporter: marcy benitez runs a clothing store and haircut salon for kids. like everyone in town, she is heart sick, desperately trying to understand what has happened. as heartbreaking as it is for something to happen, but so close to the holidays whether everybody is supposed to be happy and presents. you got to little christmas dresses right behind you here. yep. it breaks your heart. to even think about it, it does. it breaks your heart. reporter: walking through town we saw state police guiding shellshocked families to their cars, their grief unspoken, but plain to see what this community has been through today is unthinkabl
reporter: all over town signs ask for prayers for their friends and neighbors. i have friends who work in that school. i know families who go there. if it affects one person, it affects everybody. whether it s, you know, god forbid, your own kid or not, it s like it s your own. reporter: marcy benitez runs a clothing store and haircut salon for kids. like everyone in town, she is heartsick, desperately trying to understand what s happened. as heartbreaking as it is for something to happen, but so close to the holidays where everybody is supposed to be happy and presents. you ve got the little christmas dresses right behind you here. yep. it breaks your heart. to even think about it, it does. it breaks your heart. reporter: walking through town we saw state police guiding shellshocked families to their cars. their grief unspoken. but plain to see what this community has been through today is unthinkable. everyone is coming together, supporting everyone, working tog