Prayers for Aurora, Colorado

Hello my dear friends. What a sad and tragic day in America. 12 dead, dozens injured by one sick mind. The 24-year old shooter, (I don't think we should use his name as attention is what he was seeking), was clearly disturbed. When police arrived at his parents home in San Diego, the first thing his mother said was "you've got the right man". Did she know? After a horrific event like this, the first question we ask is did somebody know. Could this have been prevented. The planning of this assault took months. His apartment was elaborately booby trapped. All of the guns used were legally purchased. Were there red flags. These are questions that will be answered over time. The killer has retained a lawyer and is not speaking to police. His plan had more phases than were carried out. There were explosives in his car and the aforementioned booby trapped apartment. He told police about those. Why? Had he gotten his fill of carnage? We'll never fully understand the workings of a deranged mind. What turns a "quiet grad student" into a terrorist? Is mental illness a factor? He is of the age where schizophrenia generally manifests. Knowing the "why" wont change the "what" but it will offer some closure. In the meantime, this tragedy will live on in the hearts and minds of us all but especially in those who lived through it. They will never be the same. It breaks my heart to think of what they'll go through in the coming months and years. Will they ever feel safe again? Let's all take a moment today to think about the families, friends and neighbors of those who's lives were changed forever yesterday through no fault of their own. Let's also vow to not let the actions of one deranged man change the way we live our lives. That is the goal of terrorism after all. Let's also not spend our time looking for someone else to blame. There is only one person to blame and he is locked away. Let's also take a minute to reflect on the average men and women who acted bravely and heroically is the face of chaos and terror. So many people helping strangers escape and survive. That is the true American spirit and no one, through any act of terrorism, can ever change that.

Po