One year after shootings, Samson still healing

SAMSON — A community looked back Wednesday night and took another painful step toward healing.

More than 200 people attended a candlelight ceremony at the National Guard Armory, to remember the 10 victims who were shot to death one year ago in the largest mass murder in the state’s history.

As the name of each victim was called, a family member came forward to light a candle in their memory. Wives, husbands, sons and best friends bore the task with dignity, many wiping tears from their eyes.

“Time heals all wounds,” the Rev. Jack Chancey told the grieving community, “but there will be a scar on each heart as a reminder that you survived.”

The scars were evident as many openly sobbed, perhaps still harboring the thought that what could never come to southeast Alabama, had in fact, blown through with a vengeance and caught a small town and its people unawares.

“Nobody could have imagined our world, our county and our state were to turn upside down,” Samson Mayor Clay King said. “But good came out of that day. We showed that we do care about our people — the people of Samson, Ala.”

Many said the tragedy unified the community and left them with a greater faith in God.

“We’re strong,” said Sharon Williams, who lit a candle for her cousin, Bruce Maloy, the last shooting victim killed by Michael McLendon. Maloy is a hero to many because he used his truck to try and ram the killer’s vehicle, potentially saving the lives of others.

“This was a tragedy beyond anything we could imagine,” Williams said. “The community came together. God is good and we are standing together.”

Community ties were evident in the blue and gold ribbons of Samson High School used to decorate the small stage where politicians and their representatives, law enforcement and pastors were seated.

Classmates of 15-year-old Dean James Wise wore ball caps as they took the stage and paid their respects, leaving a card bearing the signatures of students who haven’t forgotten their friend.

Large photographs of the victims were on display on the stage, depicting each life at a point in time. A young mother wears sunglasses on a sunny day. A father stands in a garden. A baby girl sucks a blue pacifier. A young man beams as he prepares for graduation.

“His word says he will never leave us,” said the Rev. Richard Thorn. “He will never forsake us.”

The pastor encouraged those in attendance to “treat every day as if it’s the last day of your life.”

King thanked area law enforcement and surrounding communities for their outpouring of support and offers of help, especially local pastors and churches for opening their hearts and their congregational doors wide.

The mayor said for him personally, the incident was the most difficult of his life. He thanked the families of the victims for helping the community as a whole.

“We realize you are still suffering a loss,” he said. “It will always be on your mind. I promise you, it does get easier with time.”

Time is now at 366 days and counting.