HARRISBURG – Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20th, asked members of the Pennsylvania Senate to observe a moment of silence today to honor the shooting victims killed in a murder-suicide in Eaton Township, just outside of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County on June 8.
Her comments followed the introduction of Wyoming County native Pastor Lori Robinson, of Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church who was serving as the guest chaplain for the day. In those remarks, Baker expressed sympathies for the three victims and their families, prayers for the lone survivor and comfort for the first responders that arrived on the scene.
Her comments were as follows:
“This is a moment that probably none of us would ever imagine to speak about on the Senate floor. Pastor Lori, who was born and raised in Wyoming County and began serving her faith and her journey there, in her hometown of Tunkhannock, in the early hours of June 8, a gunman killed three coworkers before committing suicide.
To Pastor Lori and to all the people from the Wyoming County and Tunkhannock areas, our thoughts are with those grieving from this terrible tragedy that shook our community to the core.
We mourn the loss of Terry Sterling, age 63, of South Montrose; Victoria Brong, 25, of Factoryville; and Brian Hayes, 47, of Springville. We express our deepest sympathies to their friends and families, and wish for peace to soothe them during this difficult time.
We also offer prayers and healing for the lone survivor Kristan Newell, who demonstrated tremendous bravery and courage throughout this ordeal.
And finally, we ask for comfort for our first responders and others who were placed in harm’s way as they work to protect and care for us.
Thursday evening, hundreds of individuals gathered at a community vigil, including eight members of the clergy. We are a community of compassion, strength, and hope, and we will endure. So at this time I ask for a moment of silence to honor and to remember.”