Loyalist students shocked, scared by Ottawa shootings

OTTAWA – Armed police make their way into a government building at 90 Elgin St. during Wednesday’s search for shooting suspects. Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj, Loyalist Photojournalism

By Joseph Quigley

BELLEVILLE – Members of the Loyalist College community expressed fear, surprise and sadness in response to the shootings in Ottawa Wednesday.

“I feel like it’s not the kind of thing that you would think to happen here,” student Summer Johnson said Thursday morning. “I know it’s like three hours away, but it feels close to home, so that’s the part that’s kind of scary.”

Other students said they were shocked that something like this could happen on Canadian soil.

“I thought it was terrible,” said Jerry Polonen of the killing of 24-year-old military reservist Nathan Cirillo. “I mean, these soldiers are putting their life on the line to protect our country, and when you’re home, you’d expect them to be safe from all that.”

Simon Tribble said: “It’s pretty shocking, that’s for sure. If there’s an attack on our Parliament, where can the next one be, really? Kind of scares you.”

Some students said they think Canada needs to take action in response to the shootings.

“I think they should tighten the protection around buildings like that,” said Jason Tarala. “I agree with what they’re doing in making all …  military take off their uniforms and keep on casual clothes. It’s sad that they have to do that in order to protect them, but I think it’s the right thing.”

Tribble said: “Definitely some kind of action should be taken. Seems crazy that somebody could run into our Parliament with weapons and unload on people in there and there not be any retaliation.”

But others said they are worried about what may be lost by adding more security.

“I feel like they’re probably going to add more security to Parliament Hill, but I don’t think they necessarily should,” said Joeclyn Sippola. “When I went to Parliament Hill, I was very impressed with the lack of (security). This is just a very welcoming sort of country.”

Graphic-design professor Lisa De Angelis said she worries about the possibility of an overly brash response.

“I’m concerned that people are going to overreact and make blanket statements about terrorism and Islam,” said De Angelis. “I think a wise, slow, measured approach to how to handle the strategy and what happened is really important.”