Our community is still in the healing process after the shooting that occurred just two weeks ago. As traumatizing as it was, this experience has shown to the world Lafayette’s strength and resilience. It has caused an entire city to come together to overcome. It has affected us, but it has not changed us.
The Tragedy
On the evening of July 23, a gunman opened fire in a movie theater at The Grand 16 in Lafayette, injuring nine people and killing two before turning his weapon on himself.
Police responded within a minute, and medics arrived shortly after, loading up the injured and immediately transporting them to area hospitals. Their conditions ranged from mild to critical.
News of the shooting quickly spread and shocked the US. Lafayette, a city most had probably never even heard of, had just gained popularity in the most unspeakable way.
The Aftermath
In the minutes following the shooting, the news spread like wildfire. Within hours, the story was being broadcasted on every local news channel and even in other states across the country.
We sat in our living rooms, glued to our televisions, clutching to our loved ones, anxiously awaiting any bit of news the Lafayette Police Department would release. Time passed painfully slowly as we all waited, not knowing whether our children, grandchildren, parents, or friends had been hurt—or worse.
We were petrified.
This is Lafayette, Louisiana, the happiest city in the country. Until that night we had only ever heard of such tragedies on the news or in movies. Not once did we ever think it would happen so close to home, to the people we personally know and love.
Mayci Breaux, 21, and Jillian Johnson, 33, were the two young women who did not survive the shooting.
Healing
The Grand was barricaded off. Flags flew at half-mast. In the days following the shooting, the ambiance of the city completely changed. Lafayette, although still busy as ever, seemed to be at a standstill.
But we held strong. Lafayette was not about to let some random act of violence define us. There is strength in numbers, and when I say that the entire Lafayette community came together to heal, I say it without the slightest ounce of exaggeration.
Vigils were held nightly on campus and around the city in remembrance of the two young women who were killed. A Facebook event was formed in response to rumors of a notorious organization threatening to picket the young women’s funerals. Over 16,000 people joined the event, vowing to protect the privacy of the families of the young women by forming human barriers around the funeral homes.
Lafayette doesn’t mess around.
Fortunately, the human barrier was not needed, and the families were able to mourn in peace.
Return to Normalcy
Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux have been laid to rest. The others who were injured are in stable condition and on the path to recovery. The Grand 16 remains closed, although it is predicted to reopen its doors soon.
No one has come out of this unaffected. Our hearts are still heavy for the families of the two young women whose lives were so abruptly taken.
But we continue to heal. With each day that passes, we get one step closer to normalcy. We will always be reminded of that one terrible night, but hopefully we will one day remember it as the time Lafayette came together in a time of darkness to remind the world that we aren’t just strong—we’re #LafayetteStrong.
Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News
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