HIGHLAND PARK (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Thursday marked one month since the Highland Park parade shooting. Some survivors attended a virtual town hall Wednesday night for support and to get a sense of what they should expect in the future.
Parents like Lindsey Hartman, who were at the parade, discussed how they’re still grappling with the effects of the shooting.
“We knew instantly something horrific was unfolding,” Hartman said. “A piece of our daughter’s innocence was stolen that day.”
The Survivorship Town Hall, hosted by the Highland Park Strong organization, was more than just a chance for people to grieve and get advice on navigating their world after the shooting. There was gratitude, too, from people like Po Murray.
Murray lived near the Sandy Hook shooter and has since worked for new gun control laws
“We would not have been able to pass the assault weapons ban last week without your voices,” Murray said.
Another speaker at the Survivorship Town Hall was former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 when a man opened fire at a grocery store. He killed six others.
“Our lives can change so quickly,” Giffords said. “Mine did when I was shot. We are living in challenging times, but we are up for the challenge.”
Parents were able to ask questions in the chat of the hour-long Zoom. Murray told them how the children of Sandy Hook still are recovering from the massacre her neighbor committed nearly a decade ago.
“Every child in that school heard what was happening,” Murray said. “They still need therapy, unfortunately.”
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