GOLETA, Calif. -- In the wake of the president's push
for gun control, one Goleta community remembers the consequences of gun violence
seven years ago.
Community members built a memorial in front of the post
office sign and gather at 9pm for a moment of silence on the seventh anniversary
of one of the deadliest postal shootings in the
country.
At the post
office, you'll see many signs but the most telling signs of all are the ones
with no words.
Security
pads, barbed wire and cameras keeping a watchful eye on the Goleta post office.
"It's a
sign of the times," says Christina Pizzaro of the Coalition Against Gun
Violence. "This is a reaction to the tragedy that happened seven years ago. It's
unacceptable to not feel safe in your community."
Beefed up
security, after a disgruntled ex-employee, Jennifer San Marco shot a neighbor
the six co-workers before turning the gun on herself.
"I remember
feeling shock," says community member Susan Stempien. Stempien's ex-fiance was
working at the time. The moment still haunts her 'til this
day.
"the pain,
tragedy for the victims, their
families," say Stempein. "It still impacts me like it just
happened."
The post
office manager says its hard for his employees to talk about the tragedy and
that employees hold their own vigil inside the facility to pay respect to the
victims and their families.
