After child's death, "no need to post blame," say first responders
"There is no need to post blame, the thing has happened, and the people involved, as well as the witnesses to this horrific scene, will never have that day gone from their minds," said Forest Grove Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Dave Nemeyer in a social media post made Friday.
Following the death of a six-year-old boy who died Friday after being struck by a vehicle in a parking lot near Dollar Tree, Forest Grove social media spaces were filled with comments discussing the tragedy.
Some immediately began pointing fingers, filling the void of little confirmed information—the Forest Grove Police Department has released only the most basic facts—with suppositions and assertions that they knew who was to blame.
"There is no need to post blame, the thing has happened, and the people involved, as well as the witnesses to this horrific scene, will never have that day gone from their minds," said Forest Grove Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Dave Nemeyer in a social media post made Friday.
The post was shared by the Forest Grove Police Department. Both agencies were among the first to arrive on the scene Friday afternoon.
"Last Friday our community experienced an unthinkable tragedy, when a young boy lost his life in an otherwise happy trip to the Dollar Tree," Nemeyer said.
Friday afternoon, a memorial to the boy had grown from Friday's handful of flower bouquets and a ballot to dozens of bouquets, toys, stuffed animals, candles, balloons and toys.
"We hope everyone chooses to offer just a little more love to those who are most special to them," Nemeyer said
"None of us can ever predict when we will be faced with the worst day of our lives, and it’s human nature to take for granted the people that become just normal parts of our day to day," he added.
The full statement is included below.
"Good morning,
Last Friday our community experienced an unthinkable tragedy, when a young boy lost his life in an otherwise happy trip to the Dollar Tree. There is no need to post blame, the thing has happened, and the people involved, as well as the witnesses to this horrific scene, will never have that day gone from their minds.
As we start a new week, and as the summer season opens for all of us, we hope everyone chooses to offer just a little more love to those who are most special to them. None of us can ever predict when we will be faced with the worst day of our lives, and it’s human nature to take for granted the people that become just normal parts of our day to day.
Nonetheless, as all too many know, and as some of our friends and neighbors unfortunately experienced on Friday, these things will always happen in an instant. The split second life altering moment for everyone involved in it, of once here and now gone, will shatter all.
We aren’t always offered the opportunity to say and show our love one last time for those that matter most, it’s up to all of us to make sure someone else feels it. So, in the spirit of that beautiful sweetheart of a little boy who left this world on Friday, take a moment today to surprise the people you love. The world needs it now, more than ever."
