By snoadmin
After the fatal shooting at Salon Meritage last Wednesday, many members of the Seal Beach community have come out to show their support of the victims’ families. Local churches have extended their services and hours of operation, hundreds came out for memorial services Thursday, and some, in Seal Beach and beyond, have even changed their Facebook profile pictures to blue hearts that read “Support in Love Seal Beach.” After the devastating shootings, it’s more important now than ever for neighbors to come show love and support of those affected by the tragedy.
The Seal Beach shooting, which left eight dead, is the worst mass killing in the history of Orange County. The shooting stunned the small beach city and left many in complete disbelief. But, the tragedy has prompted a response from the community that has been large and overwhelmingly supportive.
In the wake of the shootings, churches have extended their hours of operation and have encouraged members to not only pray for the victims’ families, but also for Scott Dekraai, who’s been charged of killing his ex-wife and seven others in the shootings.
The focus on prayer instead of anger extends beyond churches in the neighborhood to those who have been directly affected by the massacre. In spite of losing two members of his congregation, Rev. Michael Heher of St. Anne’s Catholic Church has emphasized the power of prayer in the healing process and has urged members of his congregation to lean on each other in their time of need.
The Los Angeles Times quoted Heher as saying, “I don’t know why God makes us suffer, but he does…It’s a time to have each other when we’re feeling so fragile.”
Members of the Seal Beach community continued to come out in support of the victims and their families throughout the week. Last Thursday, a number of prayer services were held in churches in the surrounding area and a candlelight vigil was held in front of Salon Meritage.
Nearly a week later, people are still dropping by the salon leaving flowers and paying their respects. There’s no telling how long the killings will stay a hot topic in the local media, but people in Seal Beach are making it clear that they’re here to support their neighbors and friends for the long haul.
It’s not very often a crime of this magnitude shakes a town out of its peaceful existence, but despite how shocking it was, the shootings prompted a response never before seen in the community. People in Seal Beach and the surrounding areas have shown that in times of need, you can still count on your neighbors for help, guidance, and even a shoulder to cry on.
These days, people are constantly plugged into new technology and social media, but they don’t often take the time to get to know the people around them. What we saw last week in Seal Beach was a terrible tragedy.
A mass murder isn’t the ideal way to bring people together, but the positive outpouring of compassion and support from the people of Seal Beach proves that at the end of the day, we can still be there for each other when it counts.
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