National Night Out takes on special meaning for grieving Mukilteo community
MUKILTEO, Wash. -- In the wake of a deadly shooting that killed three teens and injured one, a community came together for an event to promote public safety.
Mukilteo’s National Night Out event took place just behind Kamiak High School, where a memorial continues to grow for the teens lost.
National Night Out is a time where neighborhoods come together, to get to know one another in an effort to make their communities safer. On Tuesday, it took on a special meaning in Mukilteo as they reflected on the three lives lost in the community over the weekend.
"This has never happened to our little community, and it’s just devastating," said Rose Saffioti.
It has been so devastating that Saffioti and fellow volunteers have been passing out ribbons with Kamiak High School colors for days in honor of the teen victims in Saturday morning's shooting, 19-year olds Jake Long, Anna Bui, and Jordan Ebner.
"To go and just see the devastation and the heartbreak and the kids just sobbing, it helps me to feel like I can do something," said Saffioti.
Among those wearing the ribbon Tuesday night was Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson.
"It’s a symbol of our community and a way to demonstrate I’m thinking about them and that I’m here with them," said Gregerson.
It's this kind of community support felt all the way at Harborview Medical Center, where one of the survivors, Will Kramer, is still recovering.
"He still has a tube in his chest that's draining internal bleeding from his lung and his wounds are dressed," described Paul Kramer of his son’s injuries. "He had a bullet come through him."
Paul Kramer says his son is expected to heal physically, but the emotional healing will take much longer.
"My son will and everyone else who experienced the horrors of being attacked and seeing their friends murdered will need to process and heal the wounds," said Paul Kramer. He went onto say that his son feels guilt for being the only survivor.
Gregerson said that city leaders in Mukilteo have been seeking the advice of Marysville, where teens died in a deadly school shooting two years ago. She said they expect grief will come in waves, and they want to be prepared for every stage.