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Here Is What We Know About Victims of Canada’s Worst Mass Shooting Here Is What We Know About Victims of Canada’s Worst Mass Shooting
(about 1 month later)
OTTAWA — One was a 23-year veteran police officer, and mother of two young children, responding to a call about a shooting. Another had just survived her second bout of brain cancer. A third was out for a walk.OTTAWA — One was a 23-year veteran police officer, and mother of two young children, responding to a call about a shooting. Another had just survived her second bout of brain cancer. A third was out for a walk.
All three were victims in Canada’s worst mass shooting, which killed at least 22 people, including a teenager, in a 12-hour rampage over the weekend in a scenic vacation area of Nova Scotia.All three were victims in Canada’s worst mass shooting, which killed at least 22 people, including a teenager, in a 12-hour rampage over the weekend in a scenic vacation area of Nova Scotia.
Canadians began to mourn the victims as much of the country is locked down because of the coronavirus pandemic. So they will need to mourn at a safe distance: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday a virtual vigil will be held on Friday.Canadians began to mourn the victims as much of the country is locked down because of the coronavirus pandemic. So they will need to mourn at a safe distance: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday a virtual vigil will be held on Friday.
The massacre began late Saturday night in Portapique, a village of about 100 residents on the Bay of Fundy. It ended more than 13 hours later at a gas station in Enfield, 55 miles away, with the gunman shot dead by the police and his victims’ bodies strewn across 16 crime scenes in a more than 30-mile area.The massacre began late Saturday night in Portapique, a village of about 100 residents on the Bay of Fundy. It ended more than 13 hours later at a gas station in Enfield, 55 miles away, with the gunman shot dead by the police and his victims’ bodies strewn across 16 crime scenes in a more than 30-mile area.
Much about the killings remains unknown, including the motive of the gunman. The police were still sorting through the crime scenes and the burned-out wreckage of the five buildings and cars set ablaze during the attacks.Much about the killings remains unknown, including the motive of the gunman. The police were still sorting through the crime scenes and the burned-out wreckage of the five buildings and cars set ablaze during the attacks.
An official list of the dead has yet to be released while Nova Scotia’s now overwhelmed coroner’s service deals with identifying the victims. On Tuesday, the police said one of those killed was a 17-year-old, but gave no additional information.An official list of the dead has yet to be released while Nova Scotia’s now overwhelmed coroner’s service deals with identifying the victims. On Tuesday, the police said one of those killed was a 17-year-old, but gave no additional information.
But since Sunday several names have emerged through eulogies by family and friends on social media or, in some cases, through news releases from employers and unions.But since Sunday several names have emerged through eulogies by family and friends on social media or, in some cases, through news releases from employers and unions.
The only victim identified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to date is one of their own: Constable Heidi Stevenson. During her 23 years with the force, she had been a member of its ceremonial musical ride, one of the vestiges of the days when its officers traveled the country on horseback.The only victim identified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to date is one of their own: Constable Heidi Stevenson. During her 23 years with the force, she had been a member of its ceremonial musical ride, one of the vestiges of the days when its officers traveled the country on horseback.
Erin Riley-Oettl was a teenager when Constable Stevenson arrived at her troubled high school in the late 1990s as a liaison officer.Erin Riley-Oettl was a teenager when Constable Stevenson arrived at her troubled high school in the late 1990s as a liaison officer.
Cole Harbour District High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia’s largest city, had been buffeted by race-related brawls. Ms. Riley-Oettl said Ms. Stevenson became an effective mediator, a mentor for young women and the coach of her rugby team. She took the time to get to know the students and became such a part of the school community that she married the gym teacher.Cole Harbour District High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia’s largest city, had been buffeted by race-related brawls. Ms. Riley-Oettl said Ms. Stevenson became an effective mediator, a mentor for young women and the coach of her rugby team. She took the time to get to know the students and became such a part of the school community that she married the gym teacher.
“She became a mentor and older sister for a lot of students and members of the rugby team,” said Ms. Riley-Oettl, who is now a lawyer in Toronto. “It was an inspiration for us girls to see a strong woman who was a police officer and a former rugby player.”“She became a mentor and older sister for a lot of students and members of the rugby team,” said Ms. Riley-Oettl, who is now a lawyer in Toronto. “It was an inspiration for us girls to see a strong woman who was a police officer and a former rugby player.”
“She was a role model,” Ms. Riley-Oettl added.“She was a role model,” Ms. Riley-Oettl added.
Lillian Hyslop, another victim of the shootings, had moved to Wentworth Valley, an area of Nova Scotia with a small ski resort, after the retirement of her husband, Mike. They had left the northern chill of the Yukon Territory for the comparatively balmy maritime climate of southern Nova Scotia.Lillian Hyslop, another victim of the shootings, had moved to Wentworth Valley, an area of Nova Scotia with a small ski resort, after the retirement of her husband, Mike. They had left the northern chill of the Yukon Territory for the comparatively balmy maritime climate of southern Nova Scotia.
She was taking a walk when her neighbors were calling each other to relay police warnings to stay inside and take cover because of the shootings.She was taking a walk when her neighbors were calling each other to relay police warnings to stay inside and take cover because of the shootings.
Fire officials said she was killed on the roadside.Fire officials said she was killed on the roadside.
With victims not yet officially identified, some families remain uncertain about what happened to their loved ones, with some told only that they are missing and others told nothing.With victims not yet officially identified, some families remain uncertain about what happened to their loved ones, with some told only that they are missing and others told nothing.
Justin Zahl said he is now in limbo, uncertain about his parents’ fate.Justin Zahl said he is now in limbo, uncertain about his parents’ fate.
His mother and father, Elizabeth Joanne Thomas and John Zahl, lived next door to the killer’s summer home in Portapique, a close-knit beachside village, where the police said the rampage began.His mother and father, Elizabeth Joanne Thomas and John Zahl, lived next door to the killer’s summer home in Portapique, a close-knit beachside village, where the police said the rampage began.
Mr. Zahl said that normally his mother texted him “good night” daily between 10 and 11:30 p.m.Mr. Zahl said that normally his mother texted him “good night” daily between 10 and 11:30 p.m.
But he last heard from his mother on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. The following evening, the police called to say his parents were missing but he said they didn’t mention that their house had burned down. He discovered that on Monday after spotting a photograph of the house on Facebook.But he last heard from his mother on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. The following evening, the police called to say his parents were missing but he said they didn’t mention that their house had burned down. He discovered that on Monday after spotting a photograph of the house on Facebook.
“I have lost all faith in the system. I am in shock, this is scary and extremely frustrating,” Mr. Zahl said. “My parents are angels, they are good people, I want to know what happened.”“I have lost all faith in the system. I am in shock, this is scary and extremely frustrating,” Mr. Zahl said. “My parents are angels, they are good people, I want to know what happened.”
But others have confirmed the worst, including the friends and family of Jolene Oliver, Aaron Tuck and their daughter Emily, who had been together at home in Portapique when they were killed.But others have confirmed the worst, including the friends and family of Jolene Oliver, Aaron Tuck and their daughter Emily, who had been together at home in Portapique when they were killed.
Ms. Oliver’s sister, Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, wrote on Facebook that organizing a funeral during the coronavirus outbreak that would give these three victims the commemoration they deserved was difficult.Ms. Oliver’s sister, Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, wrote on Facebook that organizing a funeral during the coronavirus outbreak that would give these three victims the commemoration they deserved was difficult.
But she said the family being together when they were killed brought some measure of comfort. “Don’t know who I will call to chat for hours, solve world problems and laugh at crazy stuff,” she wrote.But she said the family being together when they were killed brought some measure of comfort. “Don’t know who I will call to chat for hours, solve world problems and laugh at crazy stuff,” she wrote.
Joey Webber, who worked in the forest industry, went out for an errand on Sunday morning. He never returned.Joey Webber, who worked in the forest industry, went out for an errand on Sunday morning. He never returned.
In a GoFundMe post, a family member wrote that he was survived by his partner, Shanda MacLeod, and two daughters. Mr. Webber had been unemployed for a while and had only just started back to work two days before he was killed. The family now find themselves under financial strain and are trying to raise funds for his burial and cremation.In a GoFundMe post, a family member wrote that he was survived by his partner, Shanda MacLeod, and two daughters. Mr. Webber had been unemployed for a while and had only just started back to work two days before he was killed. The family now find themselves under financial strain and are trying to raise funds for his burial and cremation.
Updated June 5, 2020
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Also among the dead was Lisa McCully, an elementary schoolteacher and single mother of two who was so committed to teaching she had traded in a vice principal job to return to the classroom.Also among the dead was Lisa McCully, an elementary schoolteacher and single mother of two who was so committed to teaching she had traded in a vice principal job to return to the classroom.
The principal of the school where she worked, Scott Armstrong, told The Toronto Star that she brought art and music into her lessons and had been organizing online classes for her students.The principal of the school where she worked, Scott Armstrong, told The Toronto Star that she brought art and music into her lessons and had been organizing online classes for her students.
“Her world revolved around them,” he told the paper.“Her world revolved around them,” he told the paper.
Like the gunman, Gina Goulet was a denturist with a practice in the town of Shubenacadie. In 2016, she was diagnosed with brain cancer, Amelia Butler, her daughter, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, adding that her mother was an avid angler and dancer despite her illness.Like the gunman, Gina Goulet was a denturist with a practice in the town of Shubenacadie. In 2016, she was diagnosed with brain cancer, Amelia Butler, her daughter, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, adding that her mother was an avid angler and dancer despite her illness.
“She fought so hard for her life,” Ms. Butler told the broadcaster.“She fought so hard for her life,” Ms. Butler told the broadcaster.
With the country still in shock, Mr. Trudeau said on Tuesday that his government will move forward with a promise he made during last year’s federal election to ban what he described as military-style assault rifles. The campaign promise also included a buy-back program for such weapons.With the country still in shock, Mr. Trudeau said on Tuesday that his government will move forward with a promise he made during last year’s federal election to ban what he described as military-style assault rifles. The campaign promise also included a buy-back program for such weapons.
“I can say that we were on the verge of introducing legislation to ban assault-style weapons across this country — it was interrupted when the pandemic caused Parliament to be suspended,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters. Police have not disclosed what type of guns were used by the shooter in Nova Scotia.“I can say that we were on the verge of introducing legislation to ban assault-style weapons across this country — it was interrupted when the pandemic caused Parliament to be suspended,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters. Police have not disclosed what type of guns were used by the shooter in Nova Scotia.
With Canada trying to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the survivors are now left to find a socially distanced way to grieve. The details of Friday’s virtual vigil, being arranged by the local community, are still being worked out.With Canada trying to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the survivors are now left to find a socially distanced way to grieve. The details of Friday’s virtual vigil, being arranged by the local community, are still being worked out.
Coming closer than two meters, or 6.5 feet, to another person, let alone hugging, is banned in Nova Scotia. The number of coronavirus cases in the province has reached 720, and only a maximum of five people may attend funerals.Coming closer than two meters, or 6.5 feet, to another person, let alone hugging, is banned in Nova Scotia. The number of coronavirus cases in the province has reached 720, and only a maximum of five people may attend funerals.
People across Canada placed lit candles in their windows for the victims on Monday night, and shared tributes and condolences online. Flight tracking images of a plane forming a heart above the affected communities on Sunday night have gone viral.People across Canada placed lit candles in their windows for the victims on Monday night, and shared tributes and condolences online. Flight tracking images of a plane forming a heart above the affected communities on Sunday night have gone viral.
A Facebook page set up to support the communities affected by the shootings has gained more than 40,000 members. It is flooded with videos of people playing guitar, bagpipes and fiddle — mainstays of traditional Nova Scotian music.A Facebook page set up to support the communities affected by the shootings has gained more than 40,000 members. It is flooded with videos of people playing guitar, bagpipes and fiddle — mainstays of traditional Nova Scotian music.
“It is going to be tough. There’s no doubt about it,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, about the process of mourning at a safe distance. “But I think people will find a way and I think people in Nova Scotia will, in their own way, be able to mourn together.”“It is going to be tough. There’s no doubt about it,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, about the process of mourning at a safe distance. “But I think people will find a way and I think people in Nova Scotia will, in their own way, be able to mourn together.”