People in Central Newfoundland are trying to make sense of a stunning cascade of tragedies and deadly shootings in recent days. And it’s again raising questions about how to address the systemic problem of violence against women.
“The fact we had two violent deaths is the tip of the iceberg. Because what’s happening, in a lot of cases, we are finding there is a lot of abuse and violence,” said Jackie Thompson, executive director with Status of Women Central.
“It’s one of the saddest weeks I’ve had in my seven years as MHA,” added Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans MHA Chris Tibbs, who also serves in the cabinet of Premier Tony Wakeham.
The sadness and shock is being felt from Fogo Island to Badger.
Between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning, there were two shootings in Grand Falls-Windsor. And in both cases, a man allegedly turned a firearm on a woman.
“We know violence and abuse is ongoing all the time, but I think this really caught us off guard,” said Thompson.
The town is also grieving the loss of two young people who died in a highway collision over the Easter weekend.
“Many families have been suffering over the last couple of weeks and putting up with a lot of trauma, including our first responders who cannot be forgotten,” said Tibbs.
Fifty-two-year-old Badger resident Ivan Loder is charged with murder following the fatal shooting of Amanda Gilbert, a native of Botwood, at a home on Crescent Heights early Friday morning.
A section of the normally quiet street was still barricaded on Monday as the RCMP continued to investigate.
Mayor Mike Browne lives on the same street, and said his entire neighbourhood has been rattled by the shooting.
Loder is scheduled to make his next court appearance later this week.
Just a few days before that incident, a woman was shot at a home on Main Street West, and initially had injuries described by police as life-threatening. Her condition has since been upgraded to serious but stable.
The vehicle used by the suspect was later discovered nearby on an unserviced road, and a deceased person was found near the vehicle.
An RCMP spokesperson said more details of the crimes will be revealed on Tuesday, but word travels fast about what happened in Grand Falls-Windsor.
“A lot of people are having a hard time with intimate partner violence and we need to address this problem,” said Tibbs. “That’s what our government is committed to do. That’s what I am committed to do.”
There have been calls for more police officers, and Tibbs agrees that is an element that has to be addressed. But he said education should also be a priority.
“Find young people at the earliest ages and teach them what a healthy relationship looks like,” he said.
And advocates like Thompson say more resources are needed, including an emergency shelter in Grand Falls-Windsor.
When asked if intimate partner violence is an epidemic, Thompson said “definitely.”
Browne, in his role as mayor, said the town is looking at options for an emergency shelter.
“We’re hoping in the coming weeks and months to find a location to serve that purpose,” he said.
Browne is also calling for more police officers.
“It’s not that we’re not pleased with the RCMP here in Grand Falls-Windsor, but we’re not pleased with the number of officers they have,” he said.
Meanwhile, local leaders are urging anyone in an abusive and dangerous relationship to seek help.
“If you come to this office we’ll make sure you have a bed tonight,” said Tibbs.
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If you need help or are in immediate danger, call 911. To find assistance in your area, visit endingviolencecanada.org.
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