Friday afternoon, Motor Man and I left town for an overnight trip.
I checked my Facebook a little before 5 and saw that my friend in Virginia Beach had posted about an active shooter in Virginia Beach. That was the first I heard of the tragedy.
That friend retired from City Hall a few years ago, and first reports were that that’s where the shooting took place. We later learned that it was another building within that complex. But when all this began, my friend was concerned for relatives of hers that worked there. I’m relieved for her that her family members weren’t among the victims.
My son, Marshall, was also texting me as he learned more about the number of fatalities and injuries. In the end, 12 people had died, and four now remain in critical condition. The suspect was also killed.
It was our area’s turn. Our turn for worldwide news footage of law enforcement personnel running into a building, and innocent civilians being rushed out with their hands on their heads. Our turn to see ambulances en-route to medical facilities. Our turn for solemn-faced city officials holding press conferences. Our turn for prayer vigils and memorials.
The city of Virginia Beach is about a 45 minute drive from us. “As the crow flies”, it’s perhaps 30 miles. We have several friends who call Virginia Beach home.
But, when something like this happens in your home state, it’s almost as though it happens in your home TOWN.
We can’t begin to imagine the feelings of all those affected by this: the families, friends and co-workers of the victims, the law enforcement officers involved, the paramedics, the city officials, the suspect’s family…..
After every horrible event like this, we hear: “What can we do to stop things like this from happening?”.
Personally, I really don’t know that there’s anything that can be done to stop it.
I believe that task will take much ‘larger’ hands than ours.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 