Title: Families of Virginia Beach Shooting Victims Feel Abandoned as Memorial Ceremony Approaches
As the fifth anniversary of the tragic Virginia Beach shooting approaches, the families of the 12 victims killed in the massacre are feeling a sense of abandonment by the city and its officials. The ceremony, set to honor the victims and dedicate a future memorial site, will take place on Friday afternoon, but some families have chosen not to attend.
Among those who will be absent are the children of Mary Louise Gayle, one of the victims. Sarah Leonard, her daughter, has opted to take her children camping, while Matthew Gayle, her son, is continuing a sailing trip he had cut short five years ago upon hearing of the shooting at his mother’s workplace.
In interviews with nearly a dozen people affected by the tragedy, a common theme emerged – a feeling of being let down by the city and a lack of support and accountability in the aftermath of the shooting. Despite promises of assistance and transparency, many families feel that their grievances have been ignored and their suffering overlooked.
The rampage, which unfolded in a city building near City Hall, was one of the deadliest episodes of workplace violence in recent U.S. history, leaving the community of Virginia Beach scarred by the tragedy. Five years later, the wounds are still fresh for many, with little progress made in addressing the concerns and needs of the victims’ families.
City Manager Patrick Duhaney defended the city’s efforts, citing the nearly $10 million spent on building a memorial as a sign of commitment to the victims. However, for some families, the memorial serves as a stark reminder of the unresolved issues and unmet promises.
Despite the challenges and disappointments, some families have come together to advocate for a $40 million fund for survivors and victims’ family members. Their efforts have been met with obstacles and setbacks, including a lack of legislative support and a fragmented investigative process.
As the city prepares to dedicate the memorial and honor the victims, the families left behind continue to grapple with grief, frustration, and a sense of abandonment. The road to healing and closure remains long and uncertain, with many feeling that justice and accountability have yet to be served for the lives lost on that tragic day in Virginia Beach.
