Mourners and community members are contributing to a growing memorial outside the home where three brothers were killed Thursday.The memorial started with a few teddy bears and now includes balloons, large stuffed animals, crosses, artwork and signs.It started forming Friday morning, less than 24 hours after the boys, ages 3, 4 and 7, were killed. Investigators said the boys' father confessed to killing them before he was taken into custody without incident.Community members also gathered at a Friday evening church service to mourn and offer each other support. The pastor of Connection Point Church opened the church for anyone who wanted to grieve or needed someone to talk to. "Last night again, I just felt like — I told my wife we need to do something," said Robert Wooten, lead pastor. "We kind of said let's just open our doors up and make it as informal but also comfortable enough where people will want to come and really just find peace."A few dozen people came out. Many were moved to tears. Others sat quietly, reflecting on the tragedy."It's a small community. Everybody feels everything. So when it's something like this, if you're human or you have a heartbeat, you're hurting," Wooten said. "We cling to hope. We cling to our faith. We cling to Christ."The Wootens expressed the importance of people talking about what they are feeling and asking for help if they need support."We feel each other's pain. In tragedies like this, you cannot do it alone. You need people," said Becky Wooten, the pastor's wife. "When you hear about a death of a child, it's almost like time stands still."Sarah Stapleton works at New Richmond Middle School. Just under four months ago, the school lost a student in a similar act of domestic violence."Sometimes they just want to talk and don't really want advice, but they just want you to listen and hug on them and love them and let them know that they are worthy," Stapleton said through misty eyes. This recent tragedy is also personal for her. She knows the mother and daughter who were at the home during the shooting and survived."I just think about the girl, the sister. I had her as a student two years ago. So I know her, and I know her mom, and I just keep going back to her — what she was feeling," Stapleton said. "We're here for you, Laura and Alexis. Reach out. We have a community of people who are ready to support you, love you and for you to lean on."A large prayer service is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in New Richmond. Wooten said several pastors are involved, and all are welcome.
Mourners and community members are contributing to a growing memorial outside the home where three brothers were killed Thursday.
The memorial started with a few teddy bears and now includes balloons, large stuffed animals, crosses, artwork and signs.
It started forming Friday morning, less than 24 hours after the boys, ages 3, 4 and 7, were killed. Investigators said the boys' father confessed to killing them before he was taken into custody without incident.
Community members also gathered at a Friday evening church service to mourn and offer each other support. The pastor of Connection Point Church opened the church for anyone who wanted to grieve or needed someone to talk to.
"Last night again, I just felt like — I told my wife we need to do something," said Robert Wooten, lead pastor. "We kind of said let's just open our doors up and make it as informal but also comfortable enough where people will want to come and really just find peace."
A few dozen people came out. Many were moved to tears. Others sat quietly, reflecting on the tragedy.
"It's a small community. Everybody feels everything. So when it's something like this, if you're human or you have a heartbeat, you're hurting," Wooten said. "We cling to hope. We cling to our faith. We cling to Christ."
The Wootens expressed the importance of people talking about what they are feeling and asking for help if they need support.
"We feel each other's pain. In tragedies like this, you cannot do it alone. You need people," said Becky Wooten, the pastor's wife. "When you hear about a death of a child, it's almost like time stands still."
Sarah Stapleton works at New Richmond Middle School. Just under four months ago, the school lost a student in a similar act of domestic violence.
"Sometimes they just want to talk and don't really want advice, but they just want you to listen and hug on them and love them and let them know that they are worthy," Stapleton said through misty eyes.
This recent tragedy is also personal for her. She knows the mother and daughter who were at the home during the shooting and survived.
"I just think about the girl, the sister. I had her as a student two years ago. So I know her, and I know her mom, and I just keep going back to her — what she was feeling," Stapleton said. "We're here for you, Laura and Alexis. Reach out. We have a community of people who are ready to support you, love you and for you to lean on."
A large prayer service is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in New Richmond. Wooten said several pastors are involved, and all are welcome.
Source link
