Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) observed a moment of silence on Monday (December 17) to pay respects to the victims of Friday's (December 14) mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

The moment of silence took place at 0915 local time (1415 GMT) on the floor of the exchange just before start of trade.

The NYSE has held other moments of silence in the past, including for the victims of 9/11.

After a one minute pause, traders returned to work on the NYSE floor.

Twelve girls, eight boys and six adult women were killed in the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Newtown is located 80 miles (128 kilometers) northeast of New York City.