LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs & Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Continue to Respond to Recent Mass Shootings, Attacks & Crisis Anniversaries

11/23/2022

Walmart Shooting – Chesapeake, Virginia
6 Killed, 4 Injured

Club Q Shooting – Colorado Springs, Colorado
5 Killed, 18 Injured

University of Virginia Shooting – Charlottesville, Virginia
3 Student-Athletes Killed

University of Idaho Attack – Moscow, Idaho
4 Students Killed

Christmas Parade Attack – Waukesha, Wisconsin Anniversary
6 Killed, Many Injured

Oxford High School Shooting – Oxford, Michigan Anniversary
4 Killed, 8 Injured

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Lutheran Church Charities continues to respond to mass shootings and crisis anniversaries in November. Our ministry teams are present and serving devastated and grieving communities.

Walmart Shooting – Chesapeake, Virginia

On Tuesday night, November 22, a Walmart night team lead began a deadly rampage less than an hour before the store was scheduled to close, killing six employees, injuring four (two critically), and traumatizing many Thanksgiving shoppers before taking his own life.

Lutheran Church Charities received an invite from Pastor Nate Speerbrecker from Community of Hope Lutheran Church in Chesapeake, Virginia who will host the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to bring friendship, comfort, and hope to yet another devastated community. LCC is also working with Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southeast District President and pastor at King of Glory in Williamsburg, Virginia, who welcomes both the LCC K-9 Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) to continue serving the grieving communities in the Southeast District.

On Friday, November 25, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio) and her handlers will arrive in Chesapeake. Deployment details for additional LCC K-9 Ministry teams are underway. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion crosses/markers will be set up at the Walmart memorial site. Congregational members from Community of Hope Church will sign them prior to placement to let the families of the victims know they are loved and prayed for.

Club Q Shooting - Colorado Springs, Colorado

On the night of Saturday, November 19, a tragic shooting took place at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing five people and injuring 18 others. The parents, siblings, family, friends, and community who knew and loved Daniel Ashton, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Raymond Green Vance are heartbroken and experiencing many emotions and fears.

On Monday, November 21, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) and their handlers responded to this hurting community to share the gentleness, love, and comfort that Jesus gives each of us. LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and crosses were placed for each person killed, providing a place for people to remember, grieve, and pray.

University of Virginia Shooting - Charlottesville, Virginia

On the night of Saturday, November 13, a horrific shooting happened at the University of Virginia (UVA), taking the lives of three student-athletes Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry.

CRU at the University of Virginia requested LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia), Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland), and Solomon (King of Glory - Williamsburg, Virginia), who met last Thursday night for togetherness and prayer.

Last Friday, the K-9s and their handlers visited the Lawn for a moment of silence, remembering the three students killed. The teams also spent time with the students on campus, providing a safe and gentle place of comfort and love.

University of Idaho Attack – Moscow, Idaho

On November 13, four University of Idaho students were found fatally stabbed multiple times in their off-campus home. The deaths of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen left the victim’s families and the university community in shock and grief.

Reverand Matt Gulseth from Concordia Lutheran Church in Pullman, Washington, invited LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Isaac (Redeemer – Spokane, Washington) and his handlers to be present with students, faculty, staff, friends, and families at the University of Idaho campus vigil on November 30.

Four Hearts of Mercy & Compassion crosses/markers for the victims will be placed at the designated memorial site on campus for vigil attendees to sign with messages for the families. Concordia-Pullman has seven University of Idaho students who attend the church.

Christmas Parade Attack – Waukesha, Wisconsin Anniversary

Monday, November 21, marked the first anniversary of the Christmas parade attack in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It was a day for the community to gather and remember the six precious lives taken: Virginia “Ginny” Sorenson, Leanna Owen, Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich, Wilhem “Bill” Hospel, and Jackson Sparks. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and Clarendon Avenue Elementary School to be with the students and staff on this difficult day.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited to Clarendon Avenue Elementary by Principal Andrea Kaplaan and School Counselor Brittany Sadorf to be with the students and staff as they continue to heal after the tragedy. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Hagar (Faith Lutheran - Appleton, Wisconsin), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), along with their handlers, were present at the school early Monday morning to shower in love, comfort, and understanding the teachers and administrative staff who had to face this challenging day of reflection and loss.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Rhoda (Prince of Peace - Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) were invited by Principal Wolff to support the students and staff at Beautiful Savior Lutheran School. Many students and their families were at the parade one year ago, and that memory still causes much sadness, fear, and other emotions.

Oxford High School Shooting – Oxford, Michigan Anniversary

On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, a 15-year-old Oxford High School sophomore was accused of shooting in the building. Four students were killed: Tate Myre (16), Hana St. Juliana (14), Madisyn Baldwin (17), and Justin Shilling (17). In addition, two students were critical, five students and one teacher injured, and many students and staff traumatized.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna and Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), along with their ministry teams, will return to Oxford High School to bring comfort and hope throughout the community on the 1st Anniversary of the shooting.

LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help these shocked and devastated communities and the first responders who serve them.

DONATE — LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG MINISTRY

DONATE — HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION

Please pray for all of the LCC ministry teams deploying as well as the communities experiencing grief from these tragic situations.

Joyfully serving together in Christ,

Lynda Streich
Interim President/CEO
Lutheran Church Charities