WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for
Victims of Crime (OVC) announced a $2,145,327 Antiterrorism and Emergency
Assistance Program (AEAP) grant to organizations providing support for the
victims, witnesses and first responders involved in the events surrounding the
shootings at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School in October 2014.
OVC is committed to promoting healing and justice for
victims of crime,” said Acting OVC Director Marilyn McCoy Roberts. “We recognize the enormous physical and emotional
toll the Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting has had on the surrounding
Marysville community including the local Middle School, the affected High
School and the Tulalip Tribes. This award will ensure that Marysville, the
Tulalip Tribes and the State of Washington can provide critical support to
victims and their families as they continue to heal.”
On October 24, 2014, a ninth grade student at Marysville
Pilchuck High School, and member of the nearby Tulalip Tribes, shot five
students in the school cafeteria before taking his own life. Ultimately only one of the shooting victims
survived.
"Though a year has passed, the pain and deep sorrow
surrounding the shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School remains," said
U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes for the Western District of Washington. "These funds will provide critical
services to those whose lives are forever changed, and will further support the
Marysville-Pilchuck school community as it works to rebuild its sense of
safety."
This award to the Washington State Department of Commerce,
Office of Crime Victims Advocacy, will support crisis response and consequence
management service costs, both incurred and anticipated, for organizations
providing crisis intervention services and trauma-informed care, continuum of
care and other assistance essential to victim healing.
In 1995, following the Oklahoma City bombing, Congress
authorized OVC to set aside and administer up to $50 million annually from the
Crime Victims Fund for the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve Fund to assist
victims in extraordinary circumstances.
Following an act of terrorism or mass violence, jurisdictions can apply
for an AEAP grant award for crisis response, criminal justice support, crime
victim compensation, and training and technical assistance expenses. OVC also provided AEAP funds and assistance
following the mass violence incidents in Boston, Massachusetts (2013); Newtown,
Connecticut (2012); Oak Creek, Wisconsin (2012); Aurora, Colorado (2012);
Tucson, Arizona. (2011); Binghamton, New York (2009); at the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University (2007); and the Minnesota Department
of Public Safety on behalf of the Red Lake Nation (2005).
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