Tribe Gives Out Victims’ Assistance Money:
Some of the families of the victims of the Red Lake shootings are not happy about Jeff Weise’s family receiving victims’ assistance money from the Red Lake Tribal Council…
Apr. 14, 2005 – Red Lake Tribal Council gave $5,000 to the family of the 16-year-old gunman in last month’s school shootings as part of a victims’ assistance effort, angering those who think the shooter should not be treated as a victim.
The council gave that amount to 15 families Wednesday as the first distribution from a memorial fund that has received more than $200,000 in donations. The council decided Jeff Weise, who committed suicide at the end of the rampage, was a victim and his family should get some assistance.
“Why are they considering him to be a victim when he killed everybody?” asked Victoria Brun, sister of slain guard Derrick Brun. “The people who donated the money have a right to know and question how the money is divided.”
Donna Lewis, mother of victim Dewayne Lewis, 15, stormed out of a council meeting after hearing that members were considering it. “He ain’t no victim in this,” Lewis screamed, as she stood near the makeshift memorial outside the school. “He was a murderer.”
The tribal council explained it this way…
Tribal Secretary Judy Roy said Weise’s family needs help with his funeral expenses, but expects nothing more. “It’s understandable that some people would feel dismayed that his family would have a share in the fund,” she said.
To be honest, as much as I believe that Jeff Weise was in no way a victim, I have no problem with this. I mean, Weise killed his closest family member, and this will allow his family to bury him and get it over with.
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