This mall shooting in Omaha has hit close to home. I just got done reading about all of the victims- who they were, where they were from, etc. Six of them were employees of the Von Maur and two were shoppers. All but two lived in Omaha, one lived in Lincoln and the other in Council Bluffs, right across the Missouri River from Omaha. I didn’t know any of the victims, but it feels really different to have it happen in a place you know, in a town where you have family and friends living, in a town where your parents go to shop sometimes. Kelly actually lived just blocks from this mall for a short time in college.
And I have a cousin that I grew up with that is a manager at the Bath and Body Works at the mall where it happened. She was working at the time and people were running by her store. Her store must not be far from the Von Maur because that’s where they were running from. She got them inside and everyone into the back room and shut the front gate. How scary. I am so glad she’s ok.
And I can’t help but think of this guy who did this horrific thing. Was he so different from people I see at Wal-Mart or a mall in the Quad Cities? I heard an interview today on tv and some lady was calling him a ‘loser’. Was he a loser because he had lost his job? No. Was he a loser because his girlfriend broke up with him? No. Or because he was tossed around in foster homes? This isn’t something that he did because of those two events…this is something that has been brewing inside of him for years because of rejection, disappointments, and who knows what else. Believe me, I am not condoning what he did…there’s no excuse for that. I guess it’s just a reminder to me that it’s that much more important to pay attention to those who may not get it elsewhere, who are the ‘loners’. He was staying with a family who was trying to help him out. I don’t know…it’s really just such a tragedy that he felt he needed to end his life and those of others because he didn’t measure up to society’s expectations. Just rambling. Praying for the victim’s families tonight as they are grieving. Not one of the victims knew this was going to take place yesterday when they woke up…it was just another day for them.
pambuller
December 12, 2007 | 1:14 am hWell said, Amy. Well said.
Brenda
December 7, 2007 | 10:35 pm hI totally agree with you, Amy. Perhaps, instead of labeling those that are sad, lonely & hurting as “losers,” people should be reaching out and showing others that there are people who care & who love them. It’s really sad that those people died. It’s a fresh reminder of our mortality.