Family and friends of the victims gathered around 6 p.m. at Innes Corners Plaza, a few blocks from two of the four shooting locations, to mourn and honor their memories with dozens of community members. A gunman shot and killed Paul Wynn, 60, and Steven Furness, 43, during a series of attacks in the City of Langley and Township of Langley early July 25. Wynn was shot outside the Creek Stone Place assisted living complex on 201st Street around 3 a.m. Furness was killed near the Langley City bus loop at Logan Avenue and Glover Street just after 5 a.m. A man and a woman were also shot and injured in separate attacks, but survived. Three of the victims were homeless, advocates and family members confirmed Wednesday, while Wynn lived at Creek Stone Place. Many who attended the vigil called for more to be done to protect people who are homeless. “It’s heartbreaking … Honestly, I’m disappointed, I’m sad, I’m angry,” said housing advocate Kim Snow, who founded the Langley-based Kimz Angels outreach service. “I just want people to listen and make a difference — do something about it.” Steven Furness’s parents and 14-year-old daughter attended the vigil, as did his brother Paul Wynn and his partner. Steven Furness’ 14-year-old daughter, left, and his parents, Lorraine, second left, and Stewart Furness, center, bow their heads during the vigil on Wednesday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
“It seems like every day someone dies”
There was no official agenda for the vigil, which was organized by both the city and the municipality. A representative from each community opened the event, followed by a minute’s silence and an invitation to those present to speak. “Our community is grieving right now,” City of Langley Mayor Val van den Broek said at the vigil, which she said was intended to offer support to the city’s vulnerable homeless community and give families a chance to grieve. “The question on everyone’s mind is ‘why?’ said the mayor. No motive for the attacks has been established. The man believed to be responsible for the shooting was shot by police on Langley Bypass near 200 Street shortly after 5:45 a.m. on the day of the attacks. Lisa Goddard, another vigil attendee, has been struggling to find stable housing for two years. She was shocked by the shootings, but said people in her circle often face untimely, tragic deaths. “I remember a time in my life when I would hear about someone dying and it would be like stabs in the heart… It was such a huge ordeal,” she said. “And it still is, I don’t get away from the anguish and frustration of losing someone. But it’s so common now, like every day. “It seems like every day someone dies.”
