A community came together this evening at Morley Stanwood Schools to honor the lives lost in Friday’s quadruple homicide. Morley Stanwood Schools Superintendent, Roger Cole, says the community is stronger together.
“Everybody has to grieve and there’s been grief from our employees since Friday afternoon and through the weekend,” Cole says.
40-year-old Dawn Gillard and her three young children were found shot to death in their home near Big Rapids. The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office says initial evidence points to the husband as the shooter. He is still in the hospital after allegedly turning the gun on himself.
Among the kids deceased was 6-year-old Katelynn Gillard. Katelynn was a first grader at Morley Stanwood Elementary. Cole says the purpose of tonight’s vigil is so people don’t cope alone, especially Katelynn’s classmates.
“The purpose this evening is just to give us a chance to begin the process of healing. And I’m a firm believer that we do that better together,” Cole states. “Not only do we grieve differently, but at different age levels you grieve differently. With your level of understanding and your ability to wrap your brain around this. I’m 55-years-old and I’ve not wrapped my brain around it.”
The school will provide counselors to students to help them cope with Friday’s shooting.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean we have to have breakout sessions and deal with it in group therapy. It’s just the idea that we have people here if there’s a need,” Cole explains.
Even though not everybody knew the family, the community showed up to Friday’s vigil in numbers. Pastor Gary Bondareako spoke to the community at Friday’s event. He says he first thought the vigil was for Uvalde, Texas. He says he’s amazed at the communities turnout and showing support to the family.
“Especially for the three children that passed to know that their lives mattered. Most of us didn’t even know them. Two of them weren’t even in school and yet we’re here to support them. Their lives mattered,” Pastor Bondareako says.
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