‘A safe place;’ Community gathers in Oregon District for 8/4 Memorial unveiling, dedication

OREGON DISTRICT — Hundreds of community members gathered in the Oregon District for the 8/4 Memorial unveiling and dedication ceremony on Sunday.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, the 8/4 Memorial honors the 9 people killed in the Oregon District mass shooting in 2019.

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Megan Betts, Monica Brickhouse, Nicholas Cumer, Derrick Fudge, Thomas McNichols, Lois Oglesby, Saeed Saleh, Logan Turner, and Beatrice “Nicole” Warren-Curtis were killed in the shooting.

27 other people were injured in this shooting but survived.

The memorial is located in a plaza adjacent to 530 E. Fifth St.

According to a spokesperson from the 8/4 Memorial Committee, it was created by the “Seed of Life” team, which consists of architect and sculptor Terry Welker, poet and educator Sierra Leone, artist Jes McMillan, The Mosaic Institute, and artist and designer James Pate.

The memorial remembers the victims, their families, and the community’s pain, but signifies coming back to life.

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“This memorial was created to be a place for our community to grieve, heal, and ensure we never forget the nine lives we lost or any of those impacted by the events of August 4, 2019. From the selection of the artist team to the installation of the memorial itself, it was of the utmost importance to have family of the victims, survivors, and members of the community involved in every step of the process,” Co-Chair of the 8/4 Memorial Committee Sandy Hunt said.

LaSandra James’ lost her daughter, Lois, in the shooting and decided to serve on the 8/4 Memorial Committee.

“She left us two young children, two children that are too young to understand what happened that day,” James said.

James said she is relieved to have a public space to remember her daughter and the eight other victims.

“It takes a lot to live in the present and not dwell in the past but this committee made it a safe place for me,” James said.

During the ceremony, the 8/4 Memorial Committee thanked the community and past and present city leaders.

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A moment of silence was followed by the release of nine white doves, which signified rebirth. Then, a bagpiper played Amazing Grace to signify the courage the victim’s families have.

The community raised more than $4 million for the memorial, plus compensation to the nine victims and those injured.

We will continue to follow this story.

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