Honoring the Victims

Students and community members turned out by the dozens Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil hosted by the Louisiana Tech University Black Student Union in support of the victims of the Monday morning stabbing on campus.

Attendees wrote prayers, symbols and messages of hope and encouragement on paper bags that were filled with candles and placed in a ring around the iconic Lady of the Mist fountain in the Tech quad.

The event began just as the Leader received official confirmation that one of Monday’s victims, local artist Annie Richardson, died from her injuries at a Shreveport hospital.

Retired 3rd Judicial District Judge Cynthia Woodard was released f rom a Shreve por t hospital Wednesday, as was Tech graduate student Dominique McKane, according to her Facebook page.

“We pray that God would enable us, even in times like these, to love one another, pray for one another, support one another,” said Zackery Thomas, youth pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Grambling, during the ceremony.

Black Student Union President Jadan Combs said her group was inspired to hold the event to encourage the student body, connect them to support resources, and come together to show respect to the victims.

“Just trying to show (the victims) honor,” Combs said. “The candles were used for a sense of respect, to show that we’re here for them. Amazing turnout full of student body as well as local community members. Just giving everybody the opportunity to come out and know they’re not alone.”

Tech President Les Guice and his wife Kathy attended the event. He spoke to the Leader beforehand about Monday’s attack.

“Really unbelievable in so many ways that something like this would happen on our campus,” Guice said. “Never thought we’d be having that kind of conversation today.”

He applauded the rapid response of the Louisiana Tech Police Department and other emergency responders, some of which he said he watched from his office on the 16th floor of Wyly Tower.

Guice said university police and administrators will continue to review campus safety in the coming days, though he doesn’t believe anything could have been done to prevent what authorities have characterized as a random attack.

“We’ve had, historically, a very safe campus,” he said. “I just don’t know what else could have been done for this particular situation. How fast our people responded was significant. We’re doing a lot of things well, I believe, but obviously we’ll look at this and find ways to be better.”

Well known for his frequent walks through campus, Guice said he’s spoken to many in the campus community to hear how they’re holding up.

“Obviously people are very hurt and concerned about what has happened, but yet they feel safe,” he said. “They love the kind of environment we have here, where people support each other.”

Students at Tuesday’s vigil echoed that message.

“Unfortunately this was something (Tech) couldn’t really prepare for — no one really could,” junior Demi Martin, 20, said. “Going forward I do believe that I’m still safe on this campus. Things do happen in this world, but we all have to realize it’s happened and overcome it.”

Combs said many student groups like the BSU are eager to help encourage students who may be shaken by Monday’s events and connect them to campus resources.

“If you ever feel scared, reach out to get that reassurance that you need,” she said.

Tech Counseling Services are available to students individually and in group settings at no charge. Appointments can be made by visiting Kenny Hall room 310, calling 318-257-2488 or visiting latech. edu/counseling- services. Group counseling sessions are available daily at 3 p.m. this week.

While Tuesday’s vigil was partly aimed at serving students, the messages attendees wrote during the ceremony were squarely focused on love and support for the victims.

“It’s been impressive how much the Louisiana Tech student body has come together, just to show our support for the victims even though we may not know them,” Martin said. “I don’t know any of the victims, but I know they’re still part of the Tech community, part of the Ruston community, and we need to be there for them.”