In the aftermath of a mass shooting that left four people dead, including the shooter, and injured two people at the Greenwood Park Mall on Sunday, the greater Greenwood community is coming together to support the victims and those affected.
Indianapolis residents Victor Gomez, 30, and husband and wife Pedro Pineda, 56, and Rosa Mirian Rivera de Pineda, 37, were killed by the shooter. Two people were also injured.
Vigil
>> Community to hold vigil for mall shooting victims Friday
Local faith leaders and Greenwood officials are partnering to hold a prayer vigil in response to the shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall on Friday.
The vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Greenwood Amphitheater, 100 Surina Way. Mayor Mark Myers is expected to speak, as well as pastors and leaders from the surrounding churches and faith communities, according to Greenwood United Methodist Church.
Mental health professionals will be available to provide attendees with grief support and resources, city officials say.
Those who attend are encouraged to bring their own seating, as the amphitheater is lawn seating only.
Fundraisers
>> Food sale planned for Saturday
The family and friends of the Pinedas’ are raising money for their funerals by selling traditional food of El Salvador on Saturday. The event on Saturday is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 3720 W. 30th St. in Indianapolis.
>> GoFundMes set up to help families
A GoFundMe has been set up by a family friend of the Pinedas’ to help with their funerals. More than $22,110 has been raised, surpassing the fundraising goal set at $20,000.
To donate, people can go to gofund.me/a3deadc5.
A GoFundMe has also been set up by a cousin of Gomez to help his family with expenses. More than $8,555 has been raised, with the goal set at $15,000.
To donate, people can go to gofund.me/5c4bcd49.
>> Abby’s Closet planning ‘Shop for a Cause’ event for Saturday
Abby’s Closet, 202 N. Madison Avenue, will be hosting an “Shop for a Cause” event on Saturday to be donated to the families of Gomez and the Pinedas’. The event will take place during normal business hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All profits will be donated to the families. All consigners will still receive 50% in their accounts, the business said on Facebook.
>> UpLift Johnson County raising funds for shooting victims
UpLift Johnson County is asking for donations to support the families of the Greenwood Park Mall shooting victims.
UpLift will match up to $10,000 for the families. The donations will be used to support the victims’ families with funeral arrangements and ongoing needs they face following the loss of loved ones, according to an UpLift Johnson County news release.
Gomez had worked tirelessly to start a successful business as a granite supplier/installer, and is described by those who knew him as a kind person who would give people the shirt off his back. He leaves behind a wife and three young children whose needs will extend far beyond just covering funeral expenses after losing their father at a young age, the news release says.
The Pinedas’ had emigrated from a small town in El Salvador to start a new life of promise and hope in the United States, and chose to make the Indianapolis area their home, the news release says.
People have two ways to donate:
- Visit UpLiftJoCo.org and click the “Donate Online Now!” link to make a donation via PayPal.
- Visit any Citizens Bank location to drop off donations for UpLift Johnson County.
>> State representative raising funds for armed bystander
State Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, has started a fundraiser that he says is to raise $500,000 for the armed bystander, Elisjsha “Eli” Dicken, 22, of Seymour, who shot and killed an active shooter. More than $25,760 has been raised so far.
To donate, people can go to gofund.me/9bc74afe.
Mental Health Support
>> Coffeehouse Five offering free mental health treatment support Friday
Coffeehouse Five’s Greenwood location will be hosting an event Friday to provide mental health support for those affected by this past Sunday’s shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall.
The nonprofit coffee shop, which is dedicated to helping the community through offering mental health treatment support and counseling services, will host the event at its Greenwood location, 323 Market Plaza, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
Shop owners will be joined by psychotherapist Christine Turo-Shields. Turo-Shields has over 30 years of experience providing therapy in a variety of settings, including treating anxiety/panic disorders, and abuse/trauma/PTSD. She has provided support in previous mass disaster events such as the Richmond Hill explosion and the Indiana State Fair stage collapse, according to a Coffeehouse Five news release.
No barista service will be available during the event to allow Coffeehouse Five to participate. Free brewed coffee and water will be provided, the news release says.
While the event is free, guests are asked to pre-register to ensure plenty of seating. Guests can register at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CoffeehouseFive/WereInThisTogether
>> Local therapist offering free sessions
Sean Copeland, who practices therapy at Evolve Therapy in Greenwood, is offering free trauma therapy sessions to anyone who was impacted by the shooting at Greenwood Park Mall. Those who are interested should email [email protected].
This list will be updated if and when the Daily Journal is made aware of more fundraisers, events and resources.
