Classmates create homemade cards for girl injured in church shooting, according to her aunt
In the heart of Minneapolis, the community is coming together to offer hope and support following a devastating shooting at the Church of Annunciation. The incident, which occurred last week, claimed the lives of two children and left 18 people, mostly children, injured.
The 11-year-old survivor, Genevieve Bisek, is currently recovering in an intensive care unit at the Hennepin County Medical Center. According to her mother, Genevieve, a sixth grader at the Catholic school, was conscious after the shooting and asked about the other children. Despite the traumatic event, she has shown remarkable resilience and compassion, earning praise for her sensitivity and compassionate nature.
The condition of Genevieve has been upgraded from critical to satisfactory, bringing a glimmer of hope to her family and the community. Medical staff sedated Genevieve until Thursday to aid in her recovery.
Meanwhile, the shooter, Robin Westman, died by suicide after firing 116 rifle rounds through the church's stained-glass windows. Westman, who was born Robert but legally changed the name to Robin in 2020, acquired the weapons legally.
Hundreds of students from the nearby Annunciation Catholic School and others gathered for a Mass at the Church of Annunciation where the shooting occurred. At a Mass held in the Annunciation school's auditorium, the Rev. Dennis Zehren spoke of hope for better days, saying, "We welcome the light of a new day here at Annunciation."
Rev. Zehren referenced the biblical phrase, "Now see what I will do," suggesting that even in the midst of darkness, God brings light. He spoke of the light shining even more brightly in the most intense darkness, offering comfort and solace to the grieving community.
The outpourings of support from the community have been immense. Handmade cards, ribbons tied around trees, and online donations have flooded in, helping the families of the victims cope with their trauma. The kindness and support have shown the community that there's still goodness in the world, which is part of the healing process.
At least seven people were still in the hospital on Saturday, including one adult in serious condition and five children, four in satisfactory condition and one in critical condition. One of the students killed in the shooting, Fletcher Merkel, was a neighbor and friend of Genevieve Bisek's family.
The community's support has been a source of strength for Genevieve. Her mother expressed that she told her, "I can't say that I wish this wouldn't have happened to me because I don't want it to have happened to anyone else either."
As the community continues to heal, they are reminded that even in the darkest of times, hope and light can be found. The Mass held to offer hope for better days serves as a testament to the resilience and unity of the community.
