TSA Responds To School Shooting In New Mexico
The Salvation Army is known for its response to large-scale disasters at home and abroad. The recent tornadoes in the Midwest United States; the typhoons in the Philippines; Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast of the US; and the earthquake in Japan – each of these devastating events saw immediate response from The Salvation Army. And, in all cases, The Salvation Army continues to serve at each location, assisting with restoration.
And, The Salvation Army is also responding to much smaller disasters, too. While some events don’t receive as much national or media attention, they are devastating in their own communities.
The school shooting on January 14, in Roswell, New Mexico, yielded a quick response from local Corps Officers Captains Ramon and Amanda Perez. On behalf of The Salvation Army, they responded to the incident at Berrendo Middle School, where two children were wounded.
The corps provided snacks and beverages to first responders, as well as emotional and spiritual support at the school and evacuation center.
For Captains Perez, the shooting hit close to home as one of their children has previously attended the middle school. Additionally, a young Corps member was in the school gym when the shooting happened, while another child from the Corps knew the alleged shooter, a 12-year-old student from the school.
Captain Ramon Perez served as a lead pastor for the evening prayer vigil that 1,500 people attended.
Anticipating that the emotional recovery may take time, Captains Robert and Stephanie Lueras of Alamogordo, New Mexico, were deployed to provide ongoing support. The Salvation Army will continue to minister as the community moves toward healing and prevention of further incidents.