Created: 11/3/2009 10:13:44 PM 
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- A murder-suicide has stunned the family and friends of the Fleming Island family.
Police said Jerry Whitelaw shot and killed two of his children, 16-year-old Kevin and 11-year-old Katie, then turned the gun on himself, as his wife, Dana, showered.
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Many family and friends turned out for a prayer service at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park.
Reporters were not allowed in the church for the prayer service, but several friends of the murdered children tell First Coast News Reporter Monica Landeros the prayer service was about remembering the lives of their friends, not the tragic way they died.
A constant stream of people could be seen walking into the church on Tuesday evening.
"I think this is a good sign of how this community comes together and how much everybody loves each and everyone in the community," said John Harward, who attended the prayer service with his family.
Harward's young daughter, Anna, is a student at Grace Episcopal Day School, where Katie Whitelaw attended classes. Anna said she and another friend played with Katie at the park just the other day, making the tragedy all the more difficult to understand.
"I'm just so devastated that happened to her and Kevin. She was really close to me," said Anna Harward.
Joey Suggs is related to the Harwards, and said Kevin Whitelaw was his friend and teammate on the St. Johns Country Day School Football Team.
"(We), we played the same position on the line. We were pretty close with each other. I was hurt (by his murder)," Suggs said.
Several teenagers attending the prayer service wore team jerseys. Suggs said teammates are leaning on each other for support.
"We're getting in groups. We are having prayer groups. We are trying to get through this together," said Suggs.
John Harward said the tragedy is still setting in. He said he watched Kevin play at last Friday's football game.
Harward also said the church was packed for the prayer service, and that everyone held lit candles for the victims.
"This can happen anywhere in any community and we thank God for the people that are helping and supporting," said Harward.
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