91原创鈥檚 mass shooting spree on July 25, 2022, left Steven Furness and Paul Wynn dead, and two others injured. The 91原创 Advance Times reconnects with victims鈥� families and first responders on the shooting鈥檚 first anniversary.
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鈥淲hat鈥檚 my responsibility?鈥�
That was the first question Marvin McDonald asked himself when he received the emergency alert on his phone in the early hours of the morning on July 25, 2022, due to a shooter in 91原创.
He remembers well what that morning looked like for him.
The counselling psychology professor at Trinity Western University had a class in the morning.
鈥淚 had to consider鈥� students that might be travelling [to campus],鈥� he said.
McDonald sent a notice to his students as the university administrators monitored the situation.
Thankfully, the professor and his students were not directly impacted by the seemingly random shootings by Jordan Goggin, which left two people dead, two injured, and Goggin fatally shot by police.
But the shooting reflects broader issues within communities, McDonald said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very plausible that鈥� this shooting was part of a piece that reflects some of the same kinds of verbal and other kinds of attacks the homeless experience on a regular basis,鈥� he said.
McDonald noted the issues of harassment people living with homelessness face are just the tip of the iceberg, as people who are homeless are often alienated from society and can face barriers to being involved in the broader community.
鈥淢embers of our homeless community are not only just our neighbours, but also oftentimes our friends and family. There鈥檚 a small number of activists who keep involved with them, but I would say the neighbourhoods [design] are a symptom and a problem that is parallel to the neglect of the homeless.鈥�
McDonald explained that some neighbourhoods are able to keep closely connected with neighbours and provide support when needed, but there are others where people are strangers living next to each other.
鈥淪o, that social disconnection is not only a problem for homeless people, but for many of us in different ways.鈥�
The shooting created a source of ongoing stress in an already difficult and isolating situation for people living on the streets in 91原创, McDonald added.
鈥淲hat we know from our research studies is that people who are most closely affected are the ones who are most likely to experience long-term difficulties,鈥� he emphasized. 鈥淲here there鈥檚 mental health difficulties or family disruptions, it shows up and lasts the closer you are to the crisis.鈥�
To support the community in its grieving process, promoting community connection and spirit make a difference.
鈥淭hat shows up in our research, people with those connections will have more resources to deal with the day-to-day stress but also to deal with these emergency situations and traumatic situations that come up,鈥� the professor explained.
Commemoration events and memorials would serve to pull together people as well.
鈥淭hey help to remind us of our shared needs and of our needs for one another in moving forward,鈥� he noted. 鈥淭hat can serve, specifically, for those most strongly impacted but can also help us move toward developing community connections 鈥� even if we were not ourselves as strongly impacted as others.鈥�
McDonald said this would help build community support that includes people living with homelessness, as well as family, friends, businesses, and the municipality.
Jane Franklin, child and youth bereavement co-ordinator at 91原创 Hospice Society (LHS), said a traumatic event can shake a person鈥檚 sense of safety and stability, and leave them with feelings of grief, helplessness, and anger.
鈥淲hen a whole community experiences a tragedy, the challenge is in how to move forward together in both acknowledging and commemorating those whose lives have been lost, sharing our grief, and supporting one another,鈥� she said.
Franklin concurs that remembering and commemorating a tragic event is one way to mourn and heal as a community.
How people support each other plays an important role in the grieving process, noted hospice society executive director Shannon Todd Booth.
鈥淐ommunity looks different for each of us 鈥� it can be your city or town, a neighbourhood, or school, your place of work, or church, or a community group or organization you鈥檙e a part of,鈥� Todd Booth said. 鈥淭here is something powerful about coming together to support each other, whether in times of grief and mourning, or in times of celebration.鈥�
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READ MORE: Investigation continues a year after 91原创 spree shooting
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Township council marks a year since spree shooting attacks
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