Northland grieves with the families of Mt Tiger shooting

Northland grieves what happened this week on Mt Tiger Rd. Photo/Michael Cunningham

There are many conversations in life that are difficult.

Not least of all when there has been a tragedy of the magnitude of the events at Mt Tiger Rd this week. It can be hard to know what to say.

Sometimes, if you are close to the people who are grieving, you don't need to say anything.

Your presence alone is comfort. And judging from the condolences for the family of Wendy and Natanya Campbell that we publish today, it is also just fine to speak from the heart, with gentle empathy.

Many of us have suffered loss, but the circumstances of Wednesday have placed several families in a very unique situation, when another person is responsible for taking Wendy and Natanya's lives.

Soldiers know of this. Every-day Northlanders don't. It is shocking, bewildering - the question of "why" is magnified immensely.

Many people will find it hard to grieve for Quinn Patterson, the killer who also died on Mt Tiger Rd this week.

It will give satisfaction to some that his life ended this way, but even though his inexcusable actions have changed lives forever, there is a sense of tragedy associated with his death too.

Wendy and Natanya's families won't grieve alone - people ranging from family and friends to strangers are supporting them and thinking of them.

A stranger rang the Northern Advocate office this week, asking if we knew how Jeff Pipe was. Jeff survived the shootings, in a vehicle that was fired upon. The lady who called did not know him, but wanted to know how he was.

Many, many people have been affected by what happened this week. And if strangers have been moved emotionally by Wednesday's events, then the magnitude of the impact on the family ... unimaginable.

"Our thoughts are with you" is a sentiment often ventured in these circumstances, and on this occasion it is very true.

Northland grieves what happened this week, and hopefully that takes something off the load on the shoulders of the families facing the challenge tragically presented to them this week.

Our thoughts are genuinely with you.