‘It’s devastating, everybody knows everybody here’ : MP Lenore Zann
Posted Apr 20, 2020 02:58:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Cumberland—Colchester MP Lenore Zann said her community is in shock.
RCMP confirm at least 18 lives were taken in the shooting rampage that began in Portapique on Saturday night.
The suspected shooter was also killed after being intercepted by police.
Zann said the tragedy is affecting everybody in the close-knit community.
“It's devastating, everybody knows everybody here,” she explained.
“Here in Northern Nova Scotia, we're all connected one way or another, through work, or through relations, or through hockey, or singing choirs, children, it's hitting everybody really hard.”
Zann said both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair called her yesterday to offer their condolences.
“Bill Blair just warned me that more and more is going to be revealed and it's not going to be pretty. People are going to be devastated and we need to be ready for that,” she said.
Nova Scotia's Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 by calling toll-free 1-888-429-8167. Kids Help Phone counsellors can be reached at 1-800-668-6868.
“It's very hard in a pandemic to grieve together because we're all separate, but social media helps.” Zann said.
Zann said an online vigil and fundraiser are being planned.
She said Friday's event is scheduled for 7 p.m. and more details will be found on the Colchester- Supporting our Community Facebook page.
Zann added the only way to combat one man's actions of violence is through love, kindness and compassion.
