Recently confirmed: in the aftermath of a violent event like a random shooting, those immediately effected are traumatized. People on the periphery go through something different. Some are rubberneckers, of course. But a lot are just trying to get through their day and avoid the wreckage.
For my part, I was on a RIPTA bus, coming back from a light shopping trip to Rumford. The bus driver stopped when we were in sight of downtown Pawtucket. Detour, end of the line. He didn't tell us how to get to our destinations. We were just on our own. The Pawtucket/Central Falls commuter rail station wasn't far off, but any halfway direct route was blocked off by police. I followed a mother and adult daughter who lived near the station and thus were going in the same general direction. They kindly gave me directions when our paths diverged.
When I was on the bus for home, a guy got on a few stops after me. He was already talking about the shooting. I didn't learn anything from listening to him except that the rumor mill was still in good working order.
Only after getting home did I look up any media reports on what happened. It was bad. Every time I read about it, it seems to get worse. Condolences to everyone who was close enough to it to be considered a survivor. Peace to those who didn't make it.
1 comment:
Rumors, yes. The first thing we heard was that a number of people had been killed and wounded which naturally made the later news about two victims and the perpetrator sound better. But what can actually be better when anybody is dead well before their time? There are many violent incidents that occur all over the world but for this particular type I think it's important to stay in the US, and perhaps to include Canada considering very recent events here.
What gets me is that some of these, not all but some, could have been avoided altogether had the authorities not given up their responsibilities to provide timely interference. It appears the man had been in serious mental distress for quite a long time and noone ever tried to help. It was much the same with the kid in Northern BC. This has nothing to do with trans people but it would be good if there was more counselling available rather than a blanket statement to the effect of, 'okay, you do you', without considering the potential blow-back.
It's a tough thing to contemplate but quite upsetting nonetheless because it's a terrible waste.
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