Remembering the women victimized at Gym
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| Wed, 08-05-2009 - 1:52pm |
Yesterday at a LA Fitness Gym in Bridgeville, a suburb of Pittsburg, three women died and nine more where injured (some critically) just for being female and working out during an aerobics class.
A crazed gunman who had planned the attack for months entered the Latin fitness class, turned off the lights and shot some 50 gunshots openly at the women exercising, including the instructor. According to his online diary, his anger towards women stemmed from his inability to find a girlfriend in some twenty five years.
to read more about the tragic event, click to the New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/us/06shoot.html?ref=global-home
I write this because as a Montrealer this event brings back some painful memories of a similar gender-based attack, where 14 young future Engineers lost their lives for being women on December 6, 1989. The Ecole Polytechnique Massacre shocked the city to its core and even to this day we still find ourselves asking why?
The gym, much like the school, is supposed to be a safe place for everyone - where one can go for a couple of hours, work off the day's stresses and strive for a better, healthier lifestyle.
I am saddened by this very tragic news and wish to express my condolences to the families, friends, and the Pittsburgh fitness community.
I also decided to post this story here with for iVillagers to talk, share, and express feelings.
Let's us not forget
Heidi Overmier, 46, of Carnegie, Pa.
Elizabeth Gannon, 49, of Pittsburgh
and Jody Billingsly, 38, of Mount Lebanon, Pa.
and our hopes and prayers for the nine women who were shot for a speedy recovery.
Jennifer Rose
Montreal, Canada

Nicely worded Jennifer, thank you for posting.
Mental illness is hard to understand and tragic things can happen.
My heart and prayers go out to all involved.
More information and a photo......
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=8258525&page=1
~ Donna
I'll pray for those women and families.
I just looked over the web site about this and found it saddening to have happened.
Nadine - deenie1979
What an awful tragedy.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
God bless those families who lost loved ones in the attack & those waiting for their loved ones to recover, as well as those who experienced the trauma.
A tragedy such as this touches all our hearts. We feel for the pain of the victims and their families and we question why no one noticed this man's anger or perhaps bizzarre behavior. As you said, there are some places we believe are safe havens and don't expect anything like this. I pray for the vitims and their families.
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I was curious about whether or not this topic would be brought up over here...
Just lurking from another board, wanted to say thank you very much to those who are remembering these women and the city of Pittsburgh after this tragedy.
I live in the Greater Pittsburgh Airport area, not too far from where the shootings occured.
Vida,
It is such a sickening feeling when a tragedy like this happens at home. Sometimes with all the news coverage of similar incidences that happens elsewhere we come to believe that we're immune until it actually happens. Many of us here in Montreal thought that the shooting a the university Ecole Polytechnique would be a one time event, but since 1989 we've had two other shootings at other schools. And each time, the same feelings of shock and grief are brought up all over again.
Though we are miles apart, please know that we are thinking about the people of Bridgeville and Pittsburgh and I hope that you'll share these sentiments with your family and your friends who attend the gym.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Rose
Welcome to the board :)
A tragic event & so hard to think/imagine ::sigh::
Thanks for stopping by ..
We'd love to have you join us here if you're looking to get/stay fit & healthy.
Prayers & loving thoughts to all in this senseless tragedy.
Loving thoughts & prayers to all ...
So sad & senseless ::sigh::