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Liz Charlotte Grant's avatar

I know that office, that building, that corner. 😭

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Yup.

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Loretta's avatar

Lore, thank you for sharing your experience and the willingness to tell it again. Thank you for the graphs you've been including. They are very eye opening, and a terrible truth that needs to be known.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Yes, a terrible truth. Thank you for being here.

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Stephanie Donati's avatar

Not that you need my “stranger on the internet” encouragement... but thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your story. It can’t be easy to relive these moments but you do it because it matters. If one mind is changed it’s worth it. If one child is saved it’s worth it. If one gun is locked up or given up or whatever small step is taken - it’s worth it.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Thank you, Stephanie. Encouragement helps me to share it =) I lose hundreds of readers every time I bring up gun reform so it means a lot when folks say, "I'm still here and not going anywhere." If one child is saved, you're right, it's worth every bit.

Two years ago, after having a handgun in our home, my husband came to the conclusion that we needed to turn it in to police and ask for it to be destroyed. I never pressured him to do that, it just was a long conversation over several years. I think about that a lot. These long conversations that must be had and the willingness to have them.

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Gladys's avatar

I think Gun violence is a horrible thing. I am sorry you had to witness that, I think the problem is a lot of people would feel vulnerable if they had to give up their guns, I certainly would be one to feel that way too. I do understand though not wanting to have gun in the home. My husband and I do own guns, unfortunately as lawlessness keeps growing , i would be very afraid to not own a gun.

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Gladys's avatar

I am sorry for what you had to witness. I am a gun owner and would be afraid to be defenseless without one, especially when the police cannot get there fast enough, like in case of a break in. I do understand your decision to turn in your gun, gun violence is a horrible thing for sure, one of the ugly things about living in a sinful world.

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Jennifer Howland's avatar

To see a violent act continually happen--even if for seconds, is just horrific. Even once would be horrible. Even if the person is caught, a life, lives are gone in front of you. I cannot imagine. It was brave of all of you to run outside, taking your lives into your hands to see if you could help. Again, I just cannot imagine.

There are violent things I saw on the mission field in Asia that I was not able to process until years later. There were things I heard, heard of, tried to help with...some turned out, some didn't, and there are countless I have to still pray about because I can't afford to wonder. I thank God for God.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

It takes time to process trauma. That's what a lot of this series is about because I'm not sure we all realized the collective trauma of living through all these shootings.

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Amanda's avatar

This is devastating.

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Debbi's avatar

I can't imagine living through your experience. Thank you for sharing this. I'd like to highlight that all US states have some form of victim compensation and assistance programs for victims of violent crimes. I can't speak to whether all state programs help with witnesses.

Family members were victims of a violent crime. The program assigned them an advocate to help them through the legal process and guide them to additional assistance including housing, medical care, therapy, reimbursement for lost wages and more. It was still a traumatic experience, but the advocate helped provide a lifeline.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a violent crime, you're not alone. Find your lifeline.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Yes! I was so grateful and surprised it was offered to me. Unfortunately it was a lot of paperwork and evidence that had to be supplied and I'm afraid that many people won't be able to wade through all of that, especially in the throes of trauma. I wish the system would make it easier for them.

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Lauren Flanagan's avatar

Thank you for bravely sharing your story with us.

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M. P. Behrens's avatar

I’ve worked as a 911 telecommunication answering these calls for several years now. Even in the “safer” neighborhoods, shootings are frequent. By “shootings,” I mean any time a gun is fired, period. I live in a city outside DC, and on an average Tuesday, there’s at least one a night. On weekends, we’re likely to have 2-4 depending on the weather, social climate, season, and a host of other factors. It wasn’t until I took this position that I became so shocked at the topic of gun violence that it continues to be an emotional catalyst for myself. A continual literal cry for action.

Thank you for sharing, Lore. It’s terrifying to share those words and relive those moments, but it gives others a glimpse of the reality and trauma.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

That's actually the next part of this story =) Our experience of living outside DC.

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Keely Darnell's avatar

Lore, I want to acknowledge your courage in sharing this intimate, vulnerable story. That was painful & traumatic. Thank you for sharing.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Thank you. It was painful and traumatic, but I was able to get the care I needed. Not everyone is.

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jen.l.hill's avatar

Thank you for these pieces. I know you have so much going on! Thank you for offering us your perspective and experiences. I’m so sorry to you and others that have to process current events along with the continued processing of your own gun violence experiences.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Thank you friend.

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