Va. Tech’ s Erin Peterson mourned
Celeste Peterson, mother of Virginia Tech shooting victim Erin Peterson, sings during the funeral service for her daughter. Erin Peterson graduated from Westfield High School, the same school gunman Seung-Hui Cho was graduated from. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Left with a ‘big gaping hole,’ a Virginia couple struggles to cope with the loss of their only child.
Grafton Peterson, father Erin Peterson, is embraced by an unidentified mourner during the service. (Francine Orr / LAT)
A photograph of Erin Peterson inside of her home in Centreville, VA, Sunday afternoon April 22, 2007. Erin N. Peterson, 18, was killed in Monday’s Virginia Tech shooting in Blacksburg, Va. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Former high school teammates share memories of Erin outside the Peterson home. (Francine Orr / LAT)
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Cousin Tracy Littlejohn, left, comforts Celeste Peterson, Erin’s mother, as they mourn at the Petersons home in Centreville, Va. Celeste remained strong most of the evening, comforting others, telling stories and laughing as she remembered her only daughter. Then she would break down in tears. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Pat Deegan, left, Erins high school basketball coach, looks on as neighbor Linda Golden hugs Grafton Peterson, who had just returned home after viewing the body of his daughter. At right is Alice Andersen, another coach. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Members of the Westfield High girls basketball team visit the Peterson home. (Francine Orr / LAT)
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Celeste Peterson gets support from 18-year-old Elizabeth Reed. (Francine Orr / LAT)
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Cousin Tracy Littlejohn, stands holding photos of Erin N. Peterson. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Linda Rodriguez, 18 (right) hugs erin’s mother Celeste Peterson (left) inside the Peterson home. (Francine Orr / LAT)
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A basketball sits in the front yard of the Peterson home, as high school teammates of Erin visit the family home. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Members of the girls Westfield basketball team walk to the Peterson’s home in Centreville, Va. (Francine Orr / LAT)