Hundreds of students, teachers and parents gathered outside the school around sundown. Their community was shaken by the sudden loss of Connors, a 15-year-old freshman who had dreams someday of becoming an author or movie director.
"It is a great and wonderful thing that you have come together as a family to pray for him, to remember him, and to commemorate him," Archbishop Ryan President Michael McArdle said at the vigil.
Witnesses say it all happen so suddenly.
At around 3:30 p.m., Connors was attempting to cross Academy Road in front of the high school when he was struck by the driver of a late model Suzuki.
Police say the driver did stop and at this point does not appear to have done anything wrong.
Both Police Commissioner Chuck Ramsey and FOP President John McNesby rushed to Aria Torresdale Hospital to offer their support to the family.
"It is tough. A parent should never have to bury a child, and to have something like this happen so suddenly," Ramsey said.
"It's an all out tragedy, both for the family and for the person who hit young Timmy," McNesby said.
At a service celebrating honor students at the Basilica, Archbishop Cardinal Justin Regali offered the mass in memory of Timothy Connors.
Meanwhile, classmates were left devastated by the tragedy as they did whatever they could with placards and candles to honor Timothy's memory.
"He's the last person this should have happened to. It's horrible," classmate Samantha Cummins said.
Yet another community is in grief over the sudden loss of a young person whose life was cut short by tragedy. Understandably, there will be a lot of tears in the days to come.
