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Tinker Tragedy Affecting Many
Wednesday, February 27, 2008; Posted: 7.15 pm (CDT)
One of the first steps Mid-Del Public Schools took was to have their Crisis Intervention Team meet with the family and staff at Tinker Elementary. Officials say there are more than ten counselors on site ready to help in any way they can.
"This is . . . this is just disgusting," says Randy Shear, a father of four.
It's going to take more than a few days before everything sinks in and those at Tinker Air Force Base move past the incident that ended the lives of nine-year-old Jourdain Thorson and four-year-old Dylan Thorson. Police believe the children were shot by their father--35-year-old Technical Sergeant Dustin Thorson--before he turned the fun on himself.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to their family and loved ones as we grieve their loss together," says Brigadier General Lori Robinson. She was Dustin's commander.
Even before the names were released, counselors were on site at Tinker Elementary--the school Jourdain attended.
"We have had a steady flow of students and even some parents who have come in and asked for assistance from our school counselors, which is a good thing because they also want to know 'How do I help my child?'" says Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Mid-Del Public Schools Katherine Hughes.
Hughes says it's absolutely essential parents talk to their children following tragedies like this.
"All of my kids are upset about it," says Shear. "They don't have to know them. It's the fact that somebody local here that went to the same school as them was killed. It does affect everybody."
All four of Shear's children attend Tinker Elementary.
"When I was a kid, something like this you wouldn't have imagined it, and all four of my kids brought home the same letter yesterday saying how the teachers had to announce over the intercom that one of their fellow students was killed," says Shear.
Hughes says their Crisis Intervention Team will be at the school until Friday to help in any way they can.
"We do a lot of verbal communication," says Hughes. "We bring in drawing and creative expression because a lot of students want to draw or write about their feelings rather than verbally express it at a young age."
As far as the case is concerned, officials say this is still an active investigation. They want to make sure every question is answered.
Regarding details like the back door being barricaded, the front door being rigged to permanently lock and the car in the driveway filled with sleeping bags, food and clothes, officials say--as of right now--they do not know what Dustin may have been planning for Monday.
Officials say they do not know of any funeral arrangements made at this time. They also say they've not determined if the Tech. Sgt.'s funeral will have military honors.
For assistance in dealing with this incident or another, here are some numbers and websites:
24-hour resource for Department of Defense civilian employees:
The Employee Assistance Program: www.FOH4you.com
1-800-222-0364
24-hour resource for military members and their families:
Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.com
1-800-342-9647
For more information about EAP or Military OneSource, call 734-9293.
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