Moncton neighbourhood thanks first responders year after shootings

Residents of Moncton'sHildegard neighbourhood are planning a show of support for the first responders, who came to their assistance on June 4, 2014, when a gunman went on a shooting spree in the area.

Three RCMP officers were shot and killed and two others wounded when a lone gunman opened fire in the residential neighbourhood.

Jeff Mowat and Heidi James, long-time residents, arepart of the community committee that is planning the event on Saturday.

"We wanted to just turn the sadness that happened last year into something positive by getting people together and celebrating and planting trees and honouring our three fallen officers," Mowat said.

The community will plant more than 100 trees, including red maples, in groups of three from Mountain Road to Mailhot Avenue.

"We think it's just a positive way to honour those officers," he said.

James says it has been a long year in many ways.

"Healing happens on many levels. It happens as an individual, as a family and as a community which is why we're very excited to be part of this event to help healing on that level but personally there's certainly been some ups and downs this year."

"It's strengthened my resolve to help create strong communities where people feel loved and supported and cared for."

Neighbourhood feels 'tight bond' with RCMP

Mowat says at noon on Saturday, the community will hold aceremony to thank RCMP, fire, ambulance and dispatch officials, along with emergency roomand city operations staff.

Mowat says emergency workers will also receive personal cards and letters from children who live in the area.

"After the events, we had a really tight bond that developed with the first responders, in particular the RCMP," he said.

People in the Hildegard neighbourhood also came out to thank police and emergency responders last spring, after the shootings.

"We had a spontaneous community gathering on that Saturday and we had well over 500 people that came out,and I remember there were a few of the RCMP officers that were still stationed there and theywere overcome with the line-up of people who wanted to shaketheir hands and say thank you," he said.

Mowat says by getting together as a community, people are better able to cope and to support one another.

"That's the best way to heal and I think that's what the community's going to be doing together."

The families of the three fallen RCMP officers, Const. Douglas Larche, Const. Dave Ross and Const.FabriceGevaudan,are expectedto attend the event.