In all of the tragedy this week, I was mindful of how the immigrant family would handle this... if some disfunction possibly explained his condition, and how they were like the rest of us innocent victims of one mad man's dellusions. This afternoon a statement was issued by the family which is simply heartbreaking.
The AP's article on the statement may hopefully help to heal some wounds and help to bring closure.
The family said:
We pray for their families and loved ones who are experiencing so much excruciating grief. And we pray for those who were injured and for those whose lives are changed forever because of what they witnessed and experienced.
Each of these people had so much love, talent and gifts to offer, and their lives were cut short by a horrible and senseless act.
We are humbled by this darkness. We feel hopeless, helpless and lost. This is someone that I grew up with and loved. Now I feel like I didn't know this person.
We have always been a close, peaceful and loving family. My brother was quiet and reserved, yet struggled to fit in. We never could have envisioned that he was capable of so much violence.
He has made the world weep. We are living a nightmare.
For this one family in particular, riddled with grief, sorrow, questions, and undoubtly guilt, I ask everyone to include them in your thoughts and prayers this weekend. Surely their life at this time is impossible to understand and their pain unfathonable.