Editorial
The horrific murder of five Calgary students at a house party on April 15 has shocked and saddened people across West Central Alberta and indeed throughout Canada.
And although the victims were not personally known to most residents, their deaths resonate with students, educators, community leaders and the public at large.
During a special council meeting on April 16, Mountain View County council observed a moment of silence for the murdered students, with reeve Bruce Beattie calling the case a tragedy for all concerned.
“They were really quality young people who had real futures,” said Beattie.
Olds College president Tom Thompson said colleges and universities in Canada are a “very-tight knit fraternity”, making the killings very hard on everyone.
“These are very difficult times for all faculty and staff and administrators and of course most of all for the student body,” said Thompson. “It is heavy on the minds of people here and they were certainly in our thoughts and prayers.”
University of Calgary president Elizabeth Cannon called the killings a “senseless tragedy” that has impacted people far and wide.
"We are deeply saddened by this news and we will work with our community to ensure our members receive the support that they need,” said Cannon.
“This is a terrible, terrible tragedy and I think not one that one wants to be speaking about — young people who've lost their lives at a very critical point in their lifetimes and a huge impact on all of us.”
Raphael Jacob, University of Calgary Students' Union president, added: “We are shocked to learn of the senseless tragedy that occurred. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of all those affected.”
Beattie, Thompson, Cannon and Jacob are right: To have these young lives, so full of promise and hope, ended in a rampage of senseless violence is a great and tragic loss for the victims' friends and families and for the community at large.
Premier Dave Hancock is also right in calling for the police and others to be given the time and resources to conduct far-reaching and comprehensive investigations.
Albertans will be watching closely as the case against accused Matthew de Grood moves through the court system.
And while it may take many months or even years before the matter is finally concluded, hopefully the end result will be justice and closure for the victims' families and friends.
This horrific tragedy marks a dark episode for Alberta, one that will long be remembered for its utter senselessness.
