EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. – A community in East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania came together for a healing event at East Lansdowne Elementary in memory of the Le family. The event was organized by Mayor Majovie Bland, the Red Cross, and the William Penn School District to support the grieving community following the tragic shooting and fire that took the lives of the Le family members on February 7.
The event aimed to provide resources for trauma and grief support, mental health services, and family activities to help the community heal. Board Director Joi Hopkins emphasized the importance of restoring a sense of community during times of profound loss. Deputy Chief Steve Castellano reflected on the challenges faced by first responders during the incident, underscoring the impact the tragedy had on their ability to provide immediate support.
Art educator Taiye Oladapo shared fond memories of Xavier Le, the youngest child of the Le family who was a student in her class for the past two and a half years. She highlighted Xavier’s creativity and passion for the arts. Desiree Murphy-Morrissey, the Founding Director of Murphy’s Giving Market, spoke about the traumatic effect of the tragedy on the community and how it reminded her of her own experience with a house fire in 2001, motivating her to establish a nonprofit organization to address food insecurity.
The event served as a space for community members to come together, show support, and find solace in collective healing. Amidst the tragedy, the resilience and unity of the East Lansdowne community shone through, demonstrating the power of compassion and solidarity in times of adversity. The event not only aimed to honor the memory of the Le family but also to provide a platform for healing and growth as the community navigates the aftermath of the heartbreaking loss.