In the aftermath of what is being considered one of America’s worst mass shootings, a clear thread of dialogue has emerged while the community of Aurora, CO and the friends and families of victims struggle to cope. The overwhelming message from those who have lost loved ones, is that the public should remember the lives of those who were lost, rather than to focus attention on the suspected killer.
Here’s a tweet from the brother of Jessica Ghawi, who succumbed to her gun wounds at the scene of the shooting:
Jessica had moved to the area from Texas to pursue her dream of being a sports reporter. Inspiring and chilling words from her own blog are being passed around the internet, written after her near-miss with another shooting incident in Toronto. Jessica wrote:
“I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.”
Jordan Ghawi was moved to see the hashtag #RIPJessica gain momentum, but reminded Twitter users not to forget the 11 other victims:
The youngest of which was 6-year-old Veronica Moser. The Denver Post has a comprehensive report on the individual victims.