Dear Editor,
I want to address the consequences of the violence towards my nephew and son at the Hedley Storm concert on Valentine’s Day.
Not only has it devastated a mother with a cowardly attack that resulted in the demise of her only son, the lives of his friends and family were also impacted.
My wife and son were holding Jason’s hand when he passed away, and that memory will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
The screams of her sister still haunt my wife when she had to telephone her and inform her that her only child was gravely hurt and that the doctors didn’t hold much hope that he would survive the night! Then go through it all again when he passed away a few hours later!
My son can’t sleep at night as he is haunted by angry dreams.
Jason’s best friend suffers the same feelings!
In their minds they play could-a, would-a and should-a done this as this night plays over and over again in their minds.
As for me! I no longer have the company of a shy, reserved young man to share my Man Cave with, to chat about the day’s events, tease each other over our choice of sports teams and help me out with the computer when it was acting up!
Because of a wanton act of violence that turned into a criminal investigation, the family could not even donate vital organs to people on waiting list for lungs, heart, kidneys, cornea’s etc.
Try imagining the disappointment of people on waiting lists when we had to turn the plane around and send it back empty handed.
Yes! This act has a quite a victims list going now – but wait, don’t forget the hell that the mothers, fathers, wives and family of the accused are going through now!
They wonder what is going to happen their loved ones. Only time will tell!
Here is a little bit of advice for young men looking for a fight: The next time you’re looking for your false courage at the bottom of your glass of booze – remember it comes with its own consequences!
Hugh Depencier
Fort St. John
