Church bells in Orillia rang 22 times on Friday — one for each life lost to a gunman who went on a shooting rampage last weekend in Nova Scotia.
A few dozen people, many wearing red, gathered at a safe distance from one another near St. James’ Anglican Church to observe two minutes of silence at 1 p.m. before the bells started ringing at churches including St. James’, St. Paul’s Centre and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, all within a block of each other.
“We need to recognize the heartache they’re going through (in Nova Scotia) and show our support as Canadians,” said Christine Hager, chair of communications ministry at St. James'. “We can’t empathize with them because we’re not in their position, but we can be compassionate.”
Halifax-born Wendy Johnston showed up Friday to show her support.
“My heart’s been aching for what happened in Nova Scotia and I thought I had to. I was called to be here,” she said. “It’s nice to see that people have come out here and it’s nice to be able to grieve with other people.”
Johnston lives in Orillia and hasn’t been back to Nova Scotia in a while, but she has fond memories of her visits.
“Whenever we visit, I just feel completely at home,” she said, adding Nova Scotians are known for their hospitality. “This is a real tragedy. I couldn’t believe it. You ache for all the people involved.”
The local churches rang their bells again at 6 p.m.
On April 18, after attacking his girlfriend, the man went on to kill 22 people, including RCMP Const. Heidi Stevenson, in various parts of the province. The violence continued into April 19, until the gunman was shot and killed by police. It is the deadliest mass killing in Canada's history.
— The video included here was shot by Kristie Webster
