Oshawa shooting victim ‘devastated’ by tragedy

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This article was published 11/09/2020 (1847 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AS an Oshawa shooting victim recovers from her injuries and mourns the loss of her husband and three of their children, her community has rallied to raise more than $157,000.

In their first public statement since the mass shooting, Loretta Traynor and her son Sam, said they are “both devastated” by the loss of Chris Traynor, 50, the couple’s 20-year-old son Bradley, 15-year-old daughter Adelaide, and 11-year-old son Joseph.

Mitchell Lapa, 48, drove from Winnipeg and opened fire in his sister’s Ontario family home, before turning the gun on himself Sept. 4, police say.

Released through the Durham Region Police Service, the family’s statement thanked first responders, medical staff and a local school board. They also asked for privacy.

“Loretta is recovering from her injuries, with Sam remaining closely by her side. Both are devastated over the tragic loss of Chris, Bradley, Adelaide and Joey, but the support provided by the staff and students at the family’s schools, the Durham Catholic District School Board, and the entire Oshawa community have been of great comfort to the entire family,” the statement reads, in part.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the Durham Regional Police Service for all of their assistance, as well as to the first responders that attended at the house on the morning of Sept. 4 and the medical staff that continues to provide excellent care to Loretta.

“We are also very grateful to all those who have contributed to the Go Fund Me (website) campaign. The family will put together a committee to advise on the disbursement of the funds to support and appropriately memorialize the entire family.”

The crowd-funding campaign for the victims’ family had raised more than $157,000, as of Thursday evening. It described the Traynor family as “beloved and active members of the Oshawa community. Their acts of kindness, love and generosity are unmatched.”

Lapa worked as a building maintenance technician and lived in an apartment in Fort Richmond. His rental agreement listed his sister Loretta as his emergency contact.