My heart has been heavy this week as we learned the names of the victims of Monday’s stunning act of violence. Denny Stong, Neven Stanisic, Rikki Olds, Tralona Bartkowiak, Suzanne Fountain, Teri Leiker, Kevin Mahoney, Lynn Murray, Jody Waters, and Officer Eric Talley. These people were neighbors and friends, moms and dads, sons and daughters, and were taken too soon.

Dear friend,

On Monday, a snowy spring day was forever sullied when a gunman killed 10 innocent people in Boulder. This type of senseless tragedy is all too familiar in Colorado and all around the country.

My heart has been heavy this week as we learned the names of the victims of Monday’s stunning act of violence. Denny Stong, Neven Stanisic, Rikki Olds, Tralona Bartkowiak, Suzanne Fountain, Teri Leiker, Kevin Mahoney, Lynn Murray, Jody Waters, and Officer Eric Talley. These people were neighbors and friends, moms and dads, sons and daughters, and were taken too soon.

May their memory forever be a blessing.

As we grieve for the 10 people taken too early, we must also join in grieving the intense loss that the families and friends of the victims will experience. My heart goes out to the entire Boulder and Colorado community. I know this tragedy has touched countless lives. We commend the brave law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way, especially Officer Eric Talley, who the President has called an American hero.

We have seen the second mass shooting in less than a week -- we can’t let these horrible acts of violence continue. We all have every right to feel safe in our daily lives, whether at school, work, or the grocery store.

In the days and months ahead, more details will emerge and our country will mourn, but we must not forget and we cannot accept this as the new normal. We have a gun violence crisis in our country, and elected officials must pass common-sense gun safety measures that protect the lives of all Americans.

Together, we can build a safer community both in Colorado and across the country.

How to help the victims

We must come together as a community to support the victims and their families. Direct cash aid is often the best way to help, and there are already several funds collecting donations. If you can, please consider supporting these funds.

Take care,

Jena Griswold

 

Paid for by Jena Griswold for Colorado

Jena for Colorado
P.O. Box 270218
Louisville, CO 80027
United States