Families of FedEx shooting victims work to figure out what comes next
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Eight bouquets were laid at Monument Circle on Sunday to honor eight lives lost in Thursday’s mass shooting. That was just one of many ways the community honored the victims during the vigil.
Dozens of people shared stories, music was played and groups prayed over the city.
In the crowd was Brandon Smith, Karli Smith’s older brother. Karli, 19, was among the youngest killed in the shooting.
“If she saw somebody having a bad day, she would purposely walk up and just try to make them smile just one time,” said her brother, Brandon.
His story is similar to dozens of others who gathered on the circle, leaning on each other to grieve.
The crowd included members of the Sikh community who showed up to pray, just before they headed to a temple in Greenwood to meet with leaders in their community.
A majority of the group was made up of the family of Jaswinder Singh, another one of the victims. Singh’s relative, Harjab Dhillon, said part of their meeting was to discuss funeral arrangements, something the family is still trying to work out.
“His two brothers, they’re in India and they want to see last time, his dad, and that’s the main thing now, issue here, so we are trying to get them here,” said Dhillon, referring to Singh’s sons.
One of his sons was also at the temple. Gurinder Bains said his dad was new to FedEx and was looking forward to getting his first paycheck.
“Monday he worked, Tuesday and Wednesday no work, Thursday he went back to work and he never came back,” said Bains.
No matter their difference of belief or background, the families share the same pain and the same end goal.
“No citizen of this nation should leave their place of work, worship or school in the fear of losing their lives, a high amount of casualties have been a result of gun violence not only this year, but many years before. But you want to tell me what action has been taken? Does anyone have an answer for that?” said Gurleen Kaur, one of Singh’s family members.
“If people could stop bickering and get together on some gun reform — nobody is trying to take any guns. It’s like a seatbelt for a car, nobody is trying to stop you from driving a car, just put a seatbelt on,” said Brandon Smith.
Karli Smith was 19 and just graduated from George Washington high school last year. Jaswinder Singh was 68; his son said he loved going to work every day.